d a refresher course, but he should be familiar with Andy Reids offensive syst

MILWAUKEE -- Once Zach Davies got going, the Arizona Diamondbacks didnt have much of a chance.Davies pitched 6 1/3 effective innings, Hernan Perez hit a two-run homer, singled and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 on Thursday.Davies is now 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA with four walks and 17 strikeouts in four starts in July.Hes had a bunch of starts like this, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. When he gets into a groove, he runs through the lineup pretty good.I was making sure I settled down a little bit and focused more, Davies said. Once the first inning is over, you let it go.Davies got some key run support for Perez, who started at shortstop for benched Jonathan Villar. Perez crushed Robbie Rays first pitch 458 feet off the facing of the scoreboard in deep center for the two-run homer in the third.That was huge, but I knew I had to keep it there and keep making pitches, Davies said of Perezs sixth home run this season.Davies (8-4) allowed three runs -two earned- on six hits. Facing the Diamondbacks for the first time, he walked one and struck out five.Jeremy Jeffress pitched the ninth for his 24th save in 25 chances.The Brewers added a run when Kirk Nieuwenhuis homered off Tyler Clippard leading off the eighth.Ray (5-10) cruised through the first five innings, then struggled in the sixth with the game tied at 2.Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale was none too happy with the bullpen.I took him (Ray) out after he gave up the lead and our bullpens got to be able to hold it, Hale said. Burgos has got to be able to get that guy out and get us in the dugout.If the bullpen doesnt get squared away, Hale hinted at some changes.We have got to find some guys out of our bullpen that are going to stop the bleeding, shut it down, Hale said. Its imperative. If we cant find them here, were going to have to go elsewhere and give other guys a chance.Ray struck out five straight batters, including the side in the second and fifth innings and set a career high with 11 strikeouts, one better than in his previous start, a 1-0 loss at Cincinnati on July 23.VILLAR SITSBrewers SS Jonathan Villar was benched for a baserunning blunder in the first inning of Wednesday nights 8-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. Known for his aggressiveness, he tried to steal third with two outs, but catcher Welington Castillo nailed him with a perfect throw. Villar also made two errors in the top of the first.I think it is a good day for him to just take a step back in general, Counsell said. It is a good spot to just step back and watch the game.TRAINERS ROOMDiamondbacks: 3B Jake Lamb struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh and stayed in the game at third. He missed the previous two games with a bruised left hand. Hale said that Lamb would start Friday. ... OF David Peralta (lower back strain) is scheduled to join the Diamondbacks on Friday. Hes been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno. ... OF Socrates Brito (fractured right toe) has gone 1 for 7 two rehab games with the AZL Diamondbacks.Brewers: The Brewers have been very cautious with Braun and have given him several scheduled days off to rest. Braun had a tough May. He missed four games with right wrist soreness, two games with lower back soreness and two with neck soreness. ... C Jonathan Lucroy had a scheduled game off to rest. ... INF Will Middlebrooks has shown some improvement. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 25 with a lower right leg strain. Will has made some nice progress, manager Craig Counsell said. He was actually able to get on the field yesterday and play catch, which is a good sign. Hopefully, were on the short end.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: RHP Zack Godley (3-1, 5.88 ERA) makes his second career appearance and first start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Brewers: RHP Junior Guerra (6-2, 2.85) aims for his 11th quality start on Friday when he faces the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second time this season. He is 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two career games. Custom Texas Rangers Jerseys . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Stitched Rangers Jerseys . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/ . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Texas Rangers Store . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. Cheap Rangers Jerseys . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch Friday for every team.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysAs the Cowboys slow play their approach for a backup quarterback, rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott will take the second-team snaps when Tony Romo is available and the first-team snaps when the veteran sits. The Cowboys like how Prescott has developed since joining the team, especially coming from a spread offense. He needs to become more accurate with his throws and make faster decisions, but coach Jason Garrett has praised Prescotts presence and poise so far. Its doubtful the Cowboys will go into the season with the rookie as Romos top backup, but?the Cowboys are pleased with his development. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsRookie Sterling Shepard continues to be the star of Giants training camp. Day after day hes making play after play. The second-round pick made several big catches downfield on Thursday. Already hes becoming a favorite of quarterback Eli Manning. Its possible we could get to see Shepard, Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz work together on Friday. Beckham is inching close to a return following a leg injury suffered on Sunday. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesInjuries are suddenly an issue for the Eagles as next weeks preseason opener approaches. Left tackle Jason Peters (quad) and safety Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) went down during Thursdays practice. Guard Brandon Brooks (hamstring) and running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) were hurt before practices began. That leaves the Eagles with four starters injured; none appears to be major, but the team is still shorthanded. -- Phil SheridanWashington RedskinsRedskins running back Matt Jones didnt practice Thursday because of a sore knee, but he said hes fine and that his legs just needed rest. Though the Redskins havent done any live hitting, making it tough to get a feel for the backs, they have been pleased with Jones improvement. He has been much better at knowing angles to take on runs, but a big test this preseason will be his pad level through the hole and his ability to hold on to the ball. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsThe story at Bears camp continues to be wide receiver?Alshon Jefferys minor hamstring injury, which kept him off the practice field Thursday. Jefferys recent history -- he missed seven games in 2015 with calf, groin, hamstring and shoulder problems -- makes the development newsworthy, even though coach John Fox downplayed the severity of Jefferys latest setback. The Bears have only three practices left in Bourbonnais (they have?a workout scheduled at Soldier Field on Saturday), meaning there is a chance Jeffery wont see more time there. The situation is worth monitoring. The Bears want to be extra cautious here. The last thing they?need is for Jefferys hamstring to linger. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsThe Lions defensive line has been one of the most impressive units in camp thus far, particularly since the group continues to make plays even though it?cant take guys to the ground. While that might change Saturday during the teams mock game at Ford Field, a bunch of players on the first and second unit have consistently made plays in individual drills and team periods. The player the Lions need a jump from, though, is Devin Taylor. He has shown he can make big plays and will have a larger role this season as a starter. The last eight games of the season, six games, he made a ton of plays for us and showed up a significant number of times, said Lions coach Jim Caldwell. Hopefully we can keep him on the same trajectory. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersThe Packers will not practice on Friday. Instead, theyll have what coach Mike McCarthy calls their STAA Program (Soft Tissue Activation and Application), which consists of massages, yoga and other preventative maintenance designed to reduce the frequency of muscle-pull injuries. Instituted in 2014, it has been a Friday staple during the regular season ever since -- and McCarthy might want to take part, too, given how he and other Packers staffers will be hustling to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday evening. McCarthy said the Packers will have their normal Saturday in-season practice before flying to Cleveland, where theyll land around 4:30 p.m. McCarthy, general manager Ted Thompson, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and others will then bus from Cleveland to Canton to see Brett Favres induction ceremony. I just found out thats a little longer ride than I anticipated, McCarthy said of the 60-mile trek. -- Jason WildeMinnesota VikingsThe Vikings continue their annual hunt to find a safety who can play next to Harrison Smith. Andrew Sendejo has gotten the first look there, but Mike Zimmer said the Vikings will take a longer look at Michael Griffin. If the Vikings find a safety that can play center field, as Zimmer put it, they can do more with Smith in their defense. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsNow that veteran pass-rusher Dwight Freeney has officially joined the Falcons, the question is, how many snaps will he play when?the regular season begins? Falcons coach Dan Quinn said it will depend on the opponent and situation, of course. The 36-year-old Freeney is ready for whatever. I love the game and I love to play, Freeney said. Im one of those guys youre going to have to pull me off the field. ... So if its 18 snaps, then its 18 snaps. If its 30 snaps, its 30 snaps. If its 45, 50, theyre going to have to get me an IV, but Ill still go out there and then still play. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersKeep an eye on defensive back Bene Benwikere to see where he lines up when the Panthers hold their FanFest practice at Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday. Coach Ron Rivera penciled Benwikere in as a starting every-down corner during the offseason, but Benwikere began camp on PUP as he continued to rehab the fractured ankle he suffered late last season. Benwikere returned to the field Wednesday, but?he?has spent most of his time working at nickel where he played most of the past two years. He actually worked with the third team at nickel a few times. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsThe Saints had a couple of physical, full-contact team periods in Thursdays practice, something coach Sean Payton said will continue to pop up in the coming days. Payton said thats one of the things the team wanted to do this year instead of just saving up for a full scrimmage. They also have joint practices scheduled with two different teams in the next two weeks (Patriots and Texans) as Payton has tried to ramp up the competition and toughness in practices. Rookie running back?Daniel Lasco and second-year defensive tackle?Tyeler Davison are among those who have stood out in the physical drills so far. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersNo, Bucs backup quarterback Mike Glennon wasnt traded, although his absence from practice Wednesday sparked quite a frenzy. He and his wife Jessica on Tuesday night welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Brady. In other news, coach Dirk Koetter has grown tired of answering questions about Cameron Brate getting first-team reps over Austin Seferian-Jenkins at tight end. If he had his way, Koetter said there would be no open practices so he wouldnt have to answer questions like this every day. As far as the tight ends, he said, Right now, Cam is playing better than Austin. End of story, as far as Im concerned. What does Austin have to do? Play better. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThursday was the first time the Cardinals practiced this camp after having a day off and, by all accounts, the practice picked up steam as it progressed. Coach Bruce Arians kept a close eye on Thursdays proceedings, as did some of the players, because, as linebacker Alex Okafor put it: Theres no time for that if we want to win the Super Bowl. Theres no time for bad practices, especially after an off day. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThe Rams had Thursday off after a late practice Wednesday, and a couple of rookies started to show chemistry. No. 1 overall pick?Jared Goff and wide receiver Michael?Thomas, a sixth-round selection, connected for completion after completion including a few touchdowns. While neither has?cracked the starting lineup yet, the pair gives the Rams a glimmer of offensive hope for the future. -- ESPN.com staffSan Francisco 49ersThe 49ers continue to monitor the quarterback competition between Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert. Kaepernick finally pushed the ball down the field in Thursdays practice, hitting Torrey Smith for a long touchdown. It could be a sign that hes feeling more comfortable in Chip Kellys offense. Offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins echoed Kellys sentiment that the quarterback competition will go on for awhile with preseason games being key. The competitions kind of really just getting started, Modkins said. Ive seen Kap from afar for a long time. Hes a good player, and I think hes right on track. I think both those guys are really competing. Theyre both doing a good job, so well just kind of see how it goes, and well probably know more once the live bullets start going in preseason. -- Nick WagonnerSeattle SeahawksThe battles between the guys up front have been fun to watch every day.dddddddddddd The initial messaging, the defensive line and the offensive line have come out to go after it, said coach Pete Carroll. Theyre getting after it. We need to be a physical, tough football team to play the style that weve always played. We have to recapture that when you come back to camp, and were off to a really good start. Carroll threw Michael Bennett?out of practice after a skirmish Thursday. And the coaches have been pleased with the way rookie offensive lineman Germain Ifedi has stood his ground. This will be an area to watch throughout the remainder of camp. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe Bills will wrap up their week of practice with a morning session Friday followed by an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday evening. With some live tackling possible, the scrimmage will be the first true opportunity to gauge where the running game and run defense stand. Running backs?LeSean McCoy and Reggie Bush figure to each get a few carries, while defensively, the performance of rookies Adolphus Washington and Reggie Ragland?will be stories. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsThe Dolphins defense continues to be ahead of the offense by winning most practices, but coaches say its too early to be concerned. Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said the offense is making a lot of deposits at once to push the limits. It may look ugly at times now, but Christensen believes the group will click and find their rhythm in time for the regular season. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsPatriots quarterback Tom Brady has declined interviews through the first seven practices of training camp, but perhaps Friday will break the streak. Brady has yet to speak publicly to reporters about his decision to not pursue further legal action in his Deflategate appeal. As for practice itself, Brady has been the last player to depart each of the last two workouts as he has been putting in overtime. Among his activities: working with resistance bands, holding planks and doing pushups. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsWith Matt Forte (hamstring) expected to miss the first preseason game, and Khiry Robinson (leg) still on the PUP list, the running-back reps will be divided among Bilal Powell, Dominique Williams and rookie Romar Morris. Its a tricky situation because the Jets?have to be careful not to overwork Powell in practice. The others are bubble players, so it doesnt matter. The Jets say theyre not concerned about Forte, yet. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensRavens backup quarterback Ryan Mallett continues to struggle in camp. His biggest problem has been accuracy. Hes throwing behind receivers and over their heads. This puts even more pressure on the Ravens to make sure Joe Flacco is ready for the season opener. Flacco has looked excellent despite coming off season-ending knee surgery. Itll be interesting to see how much action Flacco sees in the preseason. The Ravens could play it safe, sitting Flacco in the preseason opener and playing him sparingly in the second one. The focus has to be getting?Flacco to the regular-season opener as healthy as possible. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsIts all about patience in Bengals camp these days as Cincinnati waits?for several key players to get back from injuries. One important defender, linebacker Vontaze Burfict, already is easing back into the mix after coming off the non-football injury list Thursday. That wasnt the only good news from the day. Tight end Tyler Eifert began rehab on a side field as he looks to come back from a May ankle surgery. Coach Marvin Lewis also believes injured players Darqueze Dennard (ankle) and Tyler Kroft (knee) wont miss any regular-season time. As the Bengals prepare for a simulated game Saturday, their luck may be changing. -- Coley HarveyCleveland BrownsFriday will be an important night for quarterback?Robert Griffin III, as coach Hue Jackson has a live scrimmage scheduled at the teams practice facility. The scrimmage will provide the first glimpse into Griffins development in Jacksons offense. Two other players of note: wide receiver?Corey Coleman, who has looked very good in practice, and running back?Isaiah Crowell, who looks quick and aggressive in the new run-game system. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers are not messing around with rookie cornerback?Artie Burns. They are testing the first-round pick?at every turn. They match him up with Antonio Brown early and often in practices, and Burns has struggled much of the time.?Most corners would in that situation. Brown got Burns on a double move at the goal line. Burns issue, however, is more about experience than competitiveness. Burns responded well with an interception in one-on-ones, sniffing out an underneath route with ease. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansWith the ball in his hands, Texans rookie receiver Braxton Miller can be electrifying. Its getting the ball in his hands that hes working on during training camp. Miller was a quarterback for most of his career at Ohio State and only played receiver for one season. Mastering the position is a learning process for the third-round pick, but he feels his background helps in understanding his role. Said Miller: Coming from a quarterback mentality from those years at Ohio State, studying the playbook and learning the concepts, it comes pretty naturally for me. -- Tania GanguliIndianapolis ColtsColts center Ryan Kelly?on Thursday missed his third straight practice with a left shoulder strain. Coach Chuck Pagano will address Kellys status Friday, but it would be surprising if the first-round pick out of Alabama played in Sundays preseason opener against the Packers after missing so many days of practice. This is the first setback Kelly has had after taking just about every snap with the first unit during offseason workouts and the first portion of training camp. Jonotthan Harrison has been working with the first unit at center in Kellys absence. Harrison has started 19 games over the past two seasons. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars will hold their first scrimmage on Friday, but it might?not include two key members of the offensive line. Center?Brandon Linder is nursing a groin injury and Kelvin Beachum, who is fighting for the starting spot at left tackle with Luke Joeckel, sat out the last two practices. The Jaguars say Beachum?had knee soreness Wednesday and got an additional day off Thursday. They are being very careful with Beachum, who is coming off a torn ACL, because hes the favorite to be the left tackle. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansJeremiah Poutasi said he got a little work in one team period as the first-team left guard. Quinton Spain has been the starter. Coach Mike Mularkey said Spain has been more hot than cold, but that his bad plays have been doozies. When hes had his mistakes, theyve been pretty significant, Mularkey said. I mean they stand out. Not getting out on some screens, not covering up guys. Other candidates -- Poutasi, Brian Schwenke, Andy Gallik and Sebastian Tretola -- may start to get rotated in sometime soon. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosBroncos coach Gary Kubiak has hinted at it before, but Thursday he finally made it official. In the search for the teams starting quarterback, how things go in the preseason games will have a big impact on who gets the job. Kubiak is testing each quarterbacks knowledge and the ability to get the team in and out of the huddle. He also wants to see how they handle things at the line of scrimmage. But Kubiak put aside any thought that the team would pick a starter without seeing the three -- Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch -- handle the business of a game. So, that could mean the Broncos dont name a starter for another two weeks or so. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs expect new quarterback Nick Foles at practice for the first time on Friday. Foles might need a refresher course, but he should be familiar with Andy Reids offensive system. He played for Reid with the Eagles for one season (2012), and Reid has a well-deserved reputation for helping quarterbacks resurrect their careers.?-- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersFirst-round draft pick Karl Joseph, who tore the ACL in his right knee last fall at West Virginia and missed Oaklands offseason training program while rehabbing the injury, sat out Thursdays padded practice for undisclosed reasons. The strong safety had practiced every day prior to Thursday and spent much of the day working with a trainer in the teams weight room. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersAfter three days of fully-padded practices, the Chargers will hit the field in just helmets and jerseys on Friday as they get ready for Saturdays FanFest at Qualcomm Stadium, the teams annual controlled scrimmage. Chargers coach Mike McCoy praised the play of the receivers and defensive backs on Thursday. Well be in shells tomorrow, so I wanted to make sure that I pushed them today and have a championship level of play for an extended time today, he?said. -- Eric D. Williams ' ' '