Facing uphill battle in WC race, Jose dominates

MIAMI — When Jose Fernandez struck out the side in the seventh inning in the Marlins’ 4-1 win over the Dodgers on Friday, not only did the All-Star right-hander match a personal record, but he also made a statement.

Fernandez’s final pitch was a 98-mph fastball pinch-hitter Yasiel Puig couldn’t catch up to. It was his 14th strikeout of the night, tying his career high, done five times.

“I feel like that’s the only thing I do lately,” Fernandez said laughing. “I can’t pass 14.”

To Fernandez, 14 must seem like his lucky number, because three times this year he has reached that total. The hard-throwing right-hander also matched it on June 5 against the Mets and July 18 at Philadelphia.

Against the red-hot Dodgers, winners of five straight before Friday, Fernandez needed the strikeout as a weapon. He delivered, getting out of a first-and-third jam in the first inning by striking out Yasmani Grandal.

The Marlins needed Fernandez (14-8, 2.90 ERA) to step up, especially with Clayton Kershaw on the mound for Los Angeles.

“We all know that name, obviously,” said Fernandez, who is 11-2 with a 1.77 ERA at Marlins Park this …

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