MIAMI -- Jose Fernandezs last glorious act as a Miami Marlin was making friends of complete strangers.As several hundred grief-stricken Marlins fans gathered to see the hearse carrying Fernandezs body ride past Wednesday afternoon, they bonded over shared memories and personal observations. As one bearded Marlins fan in a No. 16 Fernandez jersey and teal cap told his neighbor, the pitcher had a smile that lit up a whole city.Early Sunday morning, Fernandez, 24, died in a boating accident along with two companions, Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero. Fernandez will be buried Thursday in a private ceremony attended by his family, teammates and Marlins employees. But Wednesday was a day for public mourning, as the fans who embraced him in life flocked to the ballpark to say goodbye.Several hundred brought flowers, waited in line to inscribe messages with black Sharpies on a stadium pillar, and celebrated the qualities that allowed Fernandez to hold South Florida in his grip over four seasons.Ive never seen someone take time out the way he did, signing autographs -- especially on the days when he was pitching, said Rick Gerena, a Marlins fan from Coral Springs, Florida. He was always talking to kids and parents. It almost felt like he was one of us out there. As a fan, losing him is devastating. It really is.At 2 p.m. ET -- right on schedule -- the motorcade carrying Fernandezs body assembled on Felo Ramirez Drive next to West Plaza at Marlins Park. As if on cue, black clouds passed over the stadium, and it began to rain at 2:01. But the rain quickly subsided, and fans lined up with their camera phones to commemorate the occasion. At precisely 2:16 p.m. (in honor of Fernandezs jersey number), the motorcade began to move, and fans chanted Jose! Jose! in unison.Marlins CEO Jeffrey Loria and club president David Samson stood alongside the front of the hearse, and a procession of teammates and club employees walked past. Several Marlins players wore sunglasses, even though the sky was dark.Fernandezs body was taken to a church in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami to receive a blessing, and then to St. Brendan Catholic Church in Miami for a public viewing from 5 to 11 p.m.The opportunity to say farewell to Fernandez was cathartic for many fans.Ralph Lopez, a television production manager from Long Beach, California, took a red-eye, cross-country flight Tuesday night to pay tribute to the pitcher. Lopez first saw Fernandez at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2013, and was instantly smitten.He just had this swagger and this style, Lopez said. It was captivating. I bought the MLB package so I could follow him. I was jealous of the fans here because they got to see him all the time. I was going to come to a Jose Day to see him, but I never got the chance.After the motorcade left the area -- among the stops it later made was at a Cuban restaurant Fernandez frequently ate at before games -- Marlins pitchers Tom Koehler and David Phelps stopped by to write personal messages at the West Plaza pillar, where hundreds of fans had said goodbye to Fernandez. The other Marlins soon followed and inscribed their goodbyes on a cement surface that had been painted orange.Marlins vice presidents Mike Berger and Jeff McAvoy and scouting director David Keller also came downstairs from their offices to pay their respects.Like so many others, they had come to regard Fernandez as a friend.Thats how Jose was, Keller said. He never met a stranger.It has been an emotionally wrenching week for Miami players since they learned of Fernandezs death, which forced the cancellation of Sundays game against the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins completed a three-game series with a 5-2 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday and will finish the season this weekend in Washington.Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton estimated that he has slept a total of about six hours in the three days since Fernandez died.Its helped being together and talking about it, Stanton said. Talking about the good times he had with us, the times he pissed us off, everything. It helps to laugh when your emotions let you. Weve talked about how he would go and take batting practice, how he would go out there on the mound, everything.Each day brings another news development in the aftermath of Fernandezs death.On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio sought a safety probe into the rock jetty where a boat crash claimed the lives of Fernandez and his two friends. Rubio, a Florida Republican, sent a letter to the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers asking for a review of the century-old jetty and whether it poses a chronic danger to boaters. The jetty, which extends out from Miamis port, is difficult to see at night, especially at high tide, Rubio said.As events continue to swirl around them, the Marlins are trying to come to grips with the magnitude of what theyve lost. Several Miami players remarked on what an emotional jolt it was to see Fernandezs coffin before the drive to the church.Youve got a 24-year-old whos on top of the world, and [suddenly] were walking behind his hearse, Koehler said. Were watching Miamis hero ride down the street. Unfortunately, everybody in this clubhouse is now connected by a bond that cant be broken.Were being forced to grieve in public. I appreciate every one of those fans that came out today and supported Jose and us. But it didnt make it easier. Fake Flames Jerseys . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. Cheap Flames Jerseys . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. https://www.cheapflames.com/ .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Flames Jerseys China . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Stitched Flames Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. PITTSBURGH -- Sean Rodriguez stepped to the plate looking to be aggressive.That approach paid off as he homered to open the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.When I try to be too passive, thats when I swing and miss a lot, Rodriguez said. When I take my swing, its because Im getting in my ready position and able to get my swing off. I was able to get a pitch I was able to get my swing off and hit it as good as I needed to.Rodriguez connected off Ross Ohlendorf (5-7), a 413-foot drive to the left-field bleachers that gave the Pirates just their second win in seven games in the midst of 12 straight games against teams who are at least 10 games under .500.It was Rodriguezs second career game-ending homer and his 11th home run of the season.Its another cool thing for him this year, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of the utility player. Hes done a lot of good things for us. Hes tough on himself. He expects a lot of good things to happen.The Reds tied the score 2-2 in the top of the ninth on pinch-hitter Ramon Cabreras sacrifice fly off Tony Watson (2-3), who blew his first save in two opportunities since All-Star closer Mark Melancon was traded to Washington last Saturday.Rodriguezs home run was the 23rd given up this season to the first batter a Reds reliever has faced.You can imagine how I feel about that at this point and Im going to walk away from it, Cincinnati manager Bryan Price. Im obviously very frustrated by it.Pirates rookie Jameson Taillon gave up only one run in six innings with six strikeouts and one walk in his fifth consecutive quality start. He has not factored in the decision in any of his five career home starts.Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani allowed two runs and two hits in six innings with six strikeouts and three walks, and has yet to lose in 11 starts this season. He began thhe season on the disabled list with a strained oblique before being activated June 10.ddddddddddddThe Pirates scored twice in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead as David Freese walked and John Jaso doubled before Francisco Cervelli hit a tying sacrifice fly. Jordy Mercer followed with a squeeze bunt to bring in the go-ahead run.DeSclafani allowed fewer than three runs for the eighth time in nine starts as the Reds, last in the NL Central, began a nine-game road trip.The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Brandon Phillips RBI single. He had two of Cincinnatis six hits and is 7 for 11 in his last three games.Slumping Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen returned to the lineup after being given a three-day mental break and went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts. The 2013 NL MVP is 1 for 14 in his last four games, dropping his batting average to .240.TRAINERS ROOMReds: RHP Alfredo Simon (strained right trapezius) and RHP A.J. Morris (strained right shoulder) are scheduled to begin rehabilitation assignments Sunday with Triple-A Louisville. ... SS Zack Cozart returned after missing the previous three games with a bruised right ring finger.Pirates: RF Gregory Polanco (left shoulder discomfort) was not in the lineup for a second straight game. ... C Cervelli returned after being hit the head Tuesday by a pitch and sitting out two games.UP NEXTReds: RHP Homer Bailey (1-0, 3.18 ERA), who underwent Tommy John elbow ligament reconstruction surgery last year, will make his second start of the season. He won at San Diego on Sunday, allowing two runs and 5 2/3 innings.Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.90) will debut for his new team after being acquired Monday from the New York Yankees in a trade. He had spent his entire seven-year career with the Yankees. ' ' '