fourth-longest tenure of any Red Sox player in 2016, trailing only

SAN DIEGO -- Colin Kaepernick began the game by taking a knee during the national anthem. The veteran quarterback ended it with reason to hope hell have more games with the San Francisco 49ers.Kaepernick passed for 103 yards after kneeling in protest alongside teammate Eric Reid during the national anthem in the Niners 31-21 preseason victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.Kaepernick and Reid, a starting safety who wasnt playing, declined to stand for the anthem before a preseason game dedicated to military appreciation by the Chargers. Kaepernick has decided not to stand this season to draw attention to American racial injustice, minority oppression and a litany of additional concerns ranging from police brutality to military veterans rights.The message is that we have a lot of issues in this country that we need to deal with, Kaepernick said. We have a lot of people that are oppressed. We have a lot of people that arent treated equally, that arent given equal opportunities.Kaepernick then played a solid first half in his competition for the 49ers starting job, going 11 for 18. The veteran didnt have an interception or a touchdown pass, missing on two potential scoring throws in the waning seconds of the half. He also rushed four times for 38 yards.Less than four years after leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl, Kaepernick is in competition for the starting job with Blaine Gabbert, who didnt play in San Diego after getting extensive playing time in the first three preseason games for the Niners (2-2).Kaepernick hopes to be the 49ers starter, but he is likely also in competition for a roster spot after a disappointing 2015 season during which he lost his starting job and had extensive injury problems. Although Kaepernick realizes he still could be released, hes hopeful of a future with the Niners.This is a phenomenal organization, and Ive had great conversations here, Kaepernick said. Ive had great memories here, and this team has given me the opportunity to become the man I am today. Im grateful for that. Im thankful for that, and San Francisco has become my home.Niners coach Chip Kelly wouldnt say whether Kaepernicks play had improved his chances to win the starting job -- or to avoid being cut.Well make those decisions when we watch the film, Kelly said. That goes for everybody on the football team, not just Colin.Kaepernick didnt play in the current preseason until last week against Green Bay, when his refusal to stand for the anthem first gained attention.Kaepernick got only scattered boos before the game and during the anthem, but Chargers fans serenaded him while he led a 16-play, 85-yard scoring drive to open the game capped by DuJuan Harris 1-yard TD run.Christian Ponder passed for 101 yards and rushed for the go-ahead touchdown for San Francisco with 3:08 to play, improving his own chances for a prominent job in the Niners fluid quarterback picture.Marcus Rush got his fifth and sixth sacks of the preseason in the second half of a standout performance by the San Francisco linebacker. After Rush forced a fumble that led to Ponders TD run, he intercepted a deflected pass.Kelvin Taylor sealed the Niners win with a 10-yard TD run with 1:55 left.Kenneth Farrow rushed for 63 yards and a third-quarter touchdown for the Chargers (1-3), who rested their stars. Isaiah Burse caught a 17-yard TD pass from Mike Bercovici in the third quarter during strong performances by both roster hopefuls.Chargers fullback Chris Swain, a rookie from Navy, also scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.Farrow excelled in his competition for the third-string running back job, breaking off a 44-yard run on a third-quarter drive. He is hoping to secure a role after Branden Oliver was lost for the season with an Achilles tendon injury.I definitely had to step up tonight, being that there is a hole in the room, Farrow said. I feel like I did a good job, and well see what happens.ROOKIE WATCH49ers: QB Jeff Driskel threw interceptions on his first two passes of the third quarter, certainly damaging his hopes of winning a job from Ponder or Kaepernick.Chargers: DE Joey Bosa was on the sideline, but didnt play. The first-round pick staged a 31-day holdout before signing Monday. ... Bercovici passed for 75 yards with two interceptions.POSITION BATTLES49ers: CB Will Redmond appeared to have an inconsistent game in his attempt to earn a larger role. The rookie was playing in just his second preseason game after a knee ligament injury.Chargers: Burse looked sharp in his attempt to earn a job, catching five passes for 63 yards and returning kicks.INJURY UPDATE49ers: No apparent injuries.Chargers: LB Nick Dzubnar left the field slowly in the third quarter with medical personnel accompanying him. He returned to the game later.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Adidas Ultra Boost 4.0 Baratas . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Adidas Deerupt Runner Baratas . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. http://www.baratasnmd.com/adidas-nmd-r1-baratas.html . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Adidas Falcon Mujer Baratas . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Adidas NMD CS2 Baratas . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Free-agent reliever Junichi Tazawa has agreed to a two-year deal with the Miami Marlins, the team announced Friday.?The deal is worth $12 million, with Tazawa earning $5 million next season and $7 million in 2018, according to The Associated Press.Fox Sports was first to report news of the deal Thursday.?The Marlins designated right-hander Nefi Ogando to make room for Tazawa.?Tazawa, a right-hander, had the fourth-longest tenure of any Red Sox player in 2016, trailing only David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Clay Buchholz.?Since 2013, Tazawa has made 256 appearances, fourth-most among American League relievers after Bryan Shaw (299), Cody Allen (290) and Kelvin Herrera (273).The workload appeared to catch up with him the past two seasons. Tazawa needed to be shut down late in the 2015 season because of concerns about fatigue, and he ceded his setup role to Brad Ziegler in 2016.ddddddddddddHe endured the worst full season of his career in 2016, finishing with a 4.17 ERA in 53 appearances, and was relegated to mostly low-leverage situations after the All-Star break.Tazawa entered free agency for the first time after making $3.375 million in arbitration this year.The addition of Tazawa comes after the Marlins fell short in their pursuit of high-priced closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. Tazawa will help replace left-hander Mike Dunn, who agreed Thursday to a $19 million, three-year contract with Colorado after six seasons with the Marlins.ESPN Red Sox reporter Scott Lauber and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '