not worried about any potential fallout from his protest.This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, he told NFL Media. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand

MINNEAPOLIS -- In May, the Chicago White Sox were dreaming of a possible playoff race with three left-handers anchoring the starting rotation. Ray Rice Jersey .One day away from the major-league trade deadline, Chicago is now a seller and uncertainty marks each of left-handers Carlos Rodon, Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.Brian Dozier hit two home runs to spoil Rodons first start since July 5, and the Minnesota Twins handed the White Sox a 6-4 loss on Sunday. Melky Cabrera had three hits for Chicago, which lost for the fourth time in five games.Its not an excuse, Rodon (2-8) said of his absence while recovering from a sprained left wrist. I just got to be better. A team scores four runs, you got to keep these guys at less than four, man, thats my job. I didnt do it today.The recent stretch only reinforced the White Sox trade-deadline position. Before the game, Chicago traded left-handed reliever Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals for speedy minor-league outfielder Charlie Tilson.Sale and Quintana, meanwhile, have been mentioned in trade rumors leading into Mondays deadline after the team started 23-10 this season and had Sale looking like a Cy Young Award candidate.The White Sox are 6-11 since the All-Star break after previously trading for starter James Shields and signing Justin Morneau as a free agent.Rodon managed to last 6 1/3 innings in his return to the rotation but gave up five earned runs and eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Kennys Vargas hit a two-run homer as part of a three-run first inning for Minnesota.They jumped on him pretty good there early, Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. Probably knocked a little rust off, and get back into it. He battled back. Velocity-wise, he started getting a little stronger as the game went along. I think thats maybe par for the course for as long as hes been away, and still trying to feel for it somewhat.Rodon lost his fourth straight decision and allowed two home runs for the third straight start. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Rodon owns a 4.67 ERA and has giving up 14 earned runs in his last three starts.Not everybody gets it the first time through, that they become dominant, Ventura said. Stuff-wise, hes got some great stuff. Youre going to have to find your way and I think thats part of what hes going through right now. Hes a thrower, not a feel guy, hes just trying to rear back and let it go. Part of that is believing in that.Twins starter Ervin Santana (4-9) didnt allow a hit until Adam Eatons leadoff bloop single in the fourth. Santana allowed three runs -- one earned -- in six innings with five strikeouts. Ryan Pressly gave up a double to Cabrera but recorded his first major-league save.Cabrera was stranded at third base to end the game when Morneau struck out.COUNTING ON CABRERACabrera recorded his fourth straight multi-hit game and his 12th three-hit game of the season. Hes hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games, hitting .385 during that stretch.Cabrera has particularly enjoyed facing Minnesota, with a .429 average in 10 games against the Twins this season.Hes so professional about the way he approaches things, Ventura said. He can pull it. He can hit it the other way. Hes not trying to do too much, hes just putting it on the barrel and its taking off.TRAINERS ROOMWhite Sox: Todd Frazier returned after missing two games with the flu. Manager Robin Ventura said Frazier was better but not feeling all the way back to 100 percent. Frazier started at first base and went 0 for 2 with two walks.UP NEXTWhite Sox: Chicago begins a series at Detroit with RHP James Shields (5-12, 4.68 ERA) starting against RHP Anibal Sanchez (5-11, 6.56). Shields pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs in his last outing. Matthew Judon Jersey . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Robert Griffin III Jersey . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom...arge-2173d.html . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.Kaepernick sat on the teams bench Friday night during the anthem before the Niners played host to the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game. He later explained his reasoning in an interview with NFL Media .I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color, Kaepernick said. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.The 49ers issued a statement after Pro Football Talk initially reported on Kaepernicks stand, saying that Americans have the right to protest or support the anthem.The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony, the team said. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.Coach Chip Kelly said Saturday that he had not talked with Kaepernick about his actions or comments but said that Kaepernick also did not stand for the national anthem before last weeks game in Denver when he was injured and did not play.We recognize his righht to do that, Kelly said. Ed Reed Jersey. Its not my right to tell him not to do something. Thats his right as a citizen.Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents. He has been outspoken on his Twitter account on civil rights issues and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Kaepernick is not the first U.S.-based athlete to use the anthem for protest. In 1996, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the anthem, saying the United States had a history of tyranny and doing so would conflict with his Islamist beliefs. The NBA initially suspended Abdul-Rauf for his stance before it was lifted when he said he would stand and pray silently during the song.Kaepernick said he is not worried about any potential fallout from his protest.This is not something that I am going to run by anybody, he told NFL Media. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.Kaepernicks agent did not immediately return a request for comment.Kaepernick is in competition to win back the starting quarterback job in San Francisco that he lost to Blaine Gabbert last season. He made his first appearance of the preseason on Friday night after missing two games with a tired shoulder. He finished 2 for 6 for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four runs.Kelly said Kaepernick is still in the running to win the starting job and his protest wont impact the decision.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '