MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Colin Kaepernick threw three touchdown passes, ran for 113 yards and nearly rallied the woeful San Francisco 49ers from a 17-point deficit in the final eight minutes Sunday, which left a lot to talk about afterward.That included communism in Cuba.Kaepernick drew loud boos from Miami Dolphins fans early in the game for his political views, including recent comments in defense of the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Following the 49ers 31-24 loss, Kaepernick spoke at length about Castros policies.I agree with the investment in education, Kaepernick said. I also agree with the investment in free universal health care, as well as the involvement with him in helping end apartheid in South Africa. I would hope that everyone believes those things are good things. Trying to push the false narrative that I was a supporter of the oppressive things that he did is just not true.In August, Kaepernick drew attention for wearing a T-shirt that featured Castro along with Malcolm X. In a conference call Wednesday with South Florida media, Kaepernick defended Castro, who was enormously unpopular in Miami.The timing of Kaepernicks visit to Florida, coinciding with Castros death, became the latest chapter in a surreal season for the 49ers quarterback. He has drawn strong, mixed reactions for kneeling during the national anthem to protest the treatment of minorities.He also has gone 0-6 as a starter, but the latest game might have been his best yet.The 49ers trailed 31-14 with eight minutes left but scored twice, forced a punt and started at their 38 with 1:44 to go. Kaepernick drove them to the 6 but scrambled on the final play and was stopped at the 2 when sandwiched by Kiko Alonso and Ndamukong Suh.I could tell he was going to try to tuck it in and run, and everyone did a good job of running to the ball and stopping him, Alonso said.Alonso, ironically, is a Cuban American. He said he knew nothing about Kaepernicks comments regarding Castro, but was pleased to learn from relatives about the former dictators death and the resulting celebrations in Miami.I heard there were some big parties on Calle Ocho, Alonso said. I know that my father was happy.There was no celebrating -- again -- for the 49ers (1-10), who set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive loss. Kaepernick said he misfired on some passes but was pleased his team didnt quit.Our guys did a great job fighting to the end, he said. At the beginning of the game I asked them to go four quarters with me, and they did.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.---Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/steven-wine NCAA Basketball Jerseys . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. Authentic NCAA Jerseys .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. https://www.cheapncaajerseysjustwholesale.com/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. College Football Jerseys . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Cheap NCAA Jerseys . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. HOUSTON -- After their pitching carried them to a pair of victories this week and set the stage for a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners, the Houston Astros turned to their offense to seal the deal in a 9-8 win Wednesday night.Entering Wednesday, the Astros owned the second-best ERA (3.43) in the American League since May 1. Despite an off night on the mound in the finale against Seattle, Houston (46-39) generally is showcasing impressive pitching depth.We have a lot of guys that are pitch executers and are really good at it, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. Sometimes that comes with some disrespect (from the opposition). I feel like our guys can stand their own, and when we go out and pitch our game, we have every opportunity to win (that) game, which is the role of the starting pitcher.You have to earn that over time, and sometimes the narrative doesnt follow the facts. I love our pitching staff, we have ways to get better, and I look forward to seeing if the script can maintain this type of consistency the rest of the season.Astros right-hander Doug Fister (8-5, 3.66 ERA) will seek to rebound against the Athletics on Thursday from consecutive losses following a career-high-tying, seven-game winning streak. Fister surrendered five runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on July 2, the most runs he allowed since April 14 against the Kansas City Royals.Fister has enjoyed success against the Athletics this season and throuughout his career.dddddddddddd He is 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA in two starts against Oakland in 2016, allowing one earned run over 12 2/3 innings. For his career, Fister is 7-6 with a 3.17 ERA over 15 starts against the As.Athletics left-hander Rich Hill (8-3, 2.31 ERA) will make his 10th career appearance and sixth start against the Astros, against whom he is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA.Hill will make his second start since his return from the disabled list. Sidelined for the entire month of June due to left groin discomfort, Hill allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings against the Pirates on July 2, a game the Athletics lost 4-2.Everything was good command, Hill said. Breaking ball was good, changeup was good, slider was good. I just expect more out of myself going out there. When we go out there and score two runs we (need) a shutdown inning to keep us ahead and let them work. Thats one thing that didnt sit well with me.The 36-year-old veteran had won five consecutive starts before landing on the DL.The Athletics (36-49) have lost six of seven games and were swept in three games in their last visit to Houston. Perhaps the only recent bright spot for Oakland was the Wednesday performance of ace right-hander Sonny Gray, who allowed one run over six innings in a 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins. ' ' '