This after beginning the season in the bullpen.Straily began

MINNEAPOLIS -- Carson Palmer, still in full pads and uniform, sat motionless in front of his cubicle deep inside Minnesotas stadium long after another disheartening defeat.The Arizona Cardinals, coming off an NFC runner-up finish with all kinds of star power on both sides of the ball, have stunned themselves with their underperformance in this steadily spoiling season.Xavier Rhodes took back one of his two interceptions 100 yards for a touchdown and Cordarrelle Patterson returned the second-half kickoff 104 yards for a score for the Vikings in a 30-24 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday that stopped their four-game losing streak.We have some situations where we made it a lot tougher on ourselves, said Larry Fitzgerald, the Minneapolis native who fell to 0-5 in his hometown. The mindset is not going to change. Were still in the thick of it.The schedule isnt going to get easier. The Cardinals (4-5-1) have four road games remaining.Palmer, who passed for 198 yards and two scores, was off the mark for much of the afternoon and had no time to find anyone on the final two possessions. The Vikings sacked him four times and the Cardinals netted only 27 yards after halftime.Youre on the road in a tough environment, Palmer said, and this one we really wanted, really needed.The Vikings (6-4) faced the same urgency, though. They held onto their first-place tie with Detroit in the NFC North, with a rematch against the Lions looming in four days. After scoring twice each on defense and special teams during their NFL-best 5-0 start, the Vikings failed to produce a return touchdown over their last four games until this breakthrough.The Cardinals climbed within six with David Johnsons third-down catch with 7:24 remaining. The Vikings revved up their pass rush, though, and sealed the critical victory.I dont know if its an exhale. It definitely gives you a little bit of confidence, gets things back feeling normal a little bit, defensive end Brian Robison said. We needed that one.Takeaways from the game:DUAL-THREAT DAVID: The Vikings have been vulnerable against versatile running backs, and Johnson is as good as they get. He rushed for 103 yards and a score and tacked on 57 yards and a touchdown receiving, giving him 10 straight games with 100-plus yards from scrimmage.Johnson was resting on the sideline in favor of Andre Ellington during the drive late in the second quarter that ended with the end-zone interception by Rhodes.He had just had two long drives, coach Bruce Arians said. Andre needs to play too.ABOUT THAT INTERCEPTION: The Cardinals argued to no avail that John Brown was being held by Captain Munnerlyn before Rhodes picked off Palmer . Brown said Palmer made a great throw that he wouldve caught without the contact, but he had barely turned around when the ball was in the air.Im sure well turn that into the league, Palmer said, and Im sure theyll come back and say it was holding.While Arians was not in the mood to discuss the officiating at all after the game, his son Jake -- who kicked for the Buffalo Bills in 2001 -- sent out a tweet with an obscenity directed at the NFL and its officials.SPECIAL PERFORMANCE: In addition to the touchdown from Patterson , the fifth of his career to match Percy Harvin for most in team history, the Vikings also benefited from a 72-yard punt from Jeff Locke that pinned the Cardinals at their 13 with 2:20 left, a 23-yard punt return by Marcus Sherels that set up their first touchdown and three extra points and a 27-yard field goal from new kicker Kai Forbath.That was enough to render moot a blocked extra point.Pattersons celebration wasnt quite as smooth as his return. He accidentally knocked a fans drink over in the process of jumping into the seats.Im going have to owe that person, Patterson said. So if he finds me, just let me know. Two beers next time I see him.The Vikings are the first team since the 1962 Dallas Cowboys to have a 100-yard interception return touchdown and a 100-plus yard kickoff return touchdown in the same game. The Cowboys Amos Marsh had a 101-yard kickoff return touchdown and Mike Gaechter had a 100-yard interception return touchdown in Dallas 41-19 win over Philadelphia.MORE THAN A THIELEN: Sam Bradford went 20 for 28 for 169 yards and no interceptions for the Vikings, with a touchdown pass on their first drive to Adam Thielen that was originally ruled incomplete but overturned when the Vikings successfully challenged that he landed both feet in bounds.With Patrick Peterson following Stefon Diggs, holding him to 35 yards on five catches, Thielen and Patterson became the go-to targets for Bradford. Thielen, who went undrafted out of NCAA Division II Minnesota State, has become a sure-handed safety blanket in Bradfords first season with the Vikings with 518 yards and three scores. Asked if hed heard of Thielen before arriving in Minnesota, Bradford blushed.Can I choose not to answer that one? he said, smiling.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DaveCampbellAP Nolan Ryan Jersey . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Darin Erstad Angels Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. http://www.baseballangelslockroom.com/mike-trout-angels-jersey/ .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Trevor Cahill Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Cody Allen Angels Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. CINCINNATI -- The Milwaukee Brewers will be looking to win a series on the road when they wrap up a three-game weekend set against the Reds on Sunday.Manager Craig Counsells club is 23-22 at home, but just 16-28 away from Miller Park. If the Brewers played better on the road, perhaps this season might be different.On Saturday night, the Brewers club broke out the bats in a 9-1 victory over the Reds. Jimmy Nelson effectively managed a huge early lead allowing six hits over seven shutout innings.On Sunday, Milwaukee is expected to recall right-hander Zach Davies to make his 16th start of the season and second against Cincinnati. In two career starts against the Reds, Davies is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. But, both of those outings came at Miller Park where he allowed five earned runs in 11 2/3 innings.The Brewers will need to make a roster move prior to Sundays game in order to make room on the roster for Davies.His last start came on July 5 at Washington when he earned a 5-2 victory after giving up only two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. He was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs after that game, however, to make room for first baseman Andy Wilkins.Since struggling in his first three starts, going 0-3 with 13 earned runs allowed in 13 1/3 innings, Davies responded by going 6-1 with a 3.24 ERA in 12 starts with seven quality starts.Milwaukee (39-50) is 8-7 when Davies starts.Reds right-hander Homer Bailey made his fourth rehab appearance for Triple-A Louisville on Friday and will make at least one more before being activated.When that happens, right-hander Dan Straily is among the current starters who could be the odd man out. Either him, or John Lamb who allowed nine earned runs in two-pluus innings on Saturday could be called on to be a left-handed specialist in the bullpen.ddddddddddddLamb is among many Reds players feeling the frustration as they fell to 33-58 on Saturday.Any time you dont do well, theres a collective frustration, said Lamb. its frustrating when there are expectations and youre not meeting them. I hope I continue to have the ball every five days and be able to go out there and compete. At some point youve got to produce.On Sunday, Straily will make his 20th appearance and 17th start of the season. It will be his second career appearance against Milwaukee but his first start.Opponents are hitting only .218 against Straily who is tied for the club lead with nine quality starts. This after beginning the season in the bullpen.Straily began spring training with the Houston Astros before being traded to San Diego on March 28 before being claimed off waivers by the Reds whose rotation was decimated by injuries just three days later.Cincinnati hopes to have second baseman Brandon Phillips back on Sunday after he missed Saturdays game with a strained calf muscle suffered on Friday.The Brewers are awaiting word on the condition of right fielder Hernan Perez who left Saturdays game with a left foot contusion after hitting a two-run home run to spark the offensive outburst.X-Rays were planned as a precaution and he will be evaluated further on Sunday, which could be an ideal day to give Perez a breather.He had trouble putting weight on it, said manager Craig Counsell. He was struggling enough to take him out. I think hell be fine. ' ' '