The first of two games between these teams this week goes to Milwaukee thanks to nine runs in the first three innings. Three Rangers pitchers – Matt Harrison, Omar Poveda and Eric Cyr – combined to give up the nine runs on nine hits with three doubles, plus five walks. Texas scored four runs in the sixth.

Hits: Ian Kinsler made a tough basket catch with his back to the infield as he slipped between Nelson Cruz and Marlon Byrd in shallow right-center to end the top of the third. ... Jarrod Saltala- macchia made an accurate throw to second but couldn't get Bill Hall, who had a great jump. ... Cruz made a diving catch in right to take a hit away from Prince Fielder. ... Kevin Mench had a two-run single.

Misses: Travis Metcalf made a diving stop to his left on a hard-hit ball to third, but Kinsler couldn't catch the throw to second. ... With runners on first and second and one out in the fourth, Saltalamacchia hit into a double play.

Up next: The Rangers travel to Tucson to take on the Chicago White Sox at 2:05 p.m. Central time today. RHP Vicente Padilla is scheduled to start for Texas, while RHP Gavin Floyd goes for Chicago.

Relievers (Fair): Eddie Guardado, Frank Francisco and Kazuo Fukumori pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Long (Foul): The top of the third inning took nearly 40 minutes as the Rangers allowed six runs – all unearned thanks to an error on pitcher Matt Harrison – on four hits with four walks.

All-around (Fair): Travis Metcalf had a good day at the plate and in the field. He made a nice diving stop at third and hit a home run.

Kevin Millwood had stock cars on his mind this week and chatted about his thoughts on the sport.

How long have you been a NASCAR fan?

I've always watched NASCAR, but the last couple of years I've gotten a lot more into it. I met some people that are in NASCAR, and it's become more fun to watch when you know somebody who's in it.

Didn't growing up in the racing world of North Carolina help get you hooked?

No doubt. Everybody likes racing and everybody talks about racing. You hear about things so much, you have to be into it a little bit.

Who was your favorite driver?

Dale Earnhardt was my favorite driver growing up. He was the man. Not knowing any more than I did about it, I like the black car and the whole intimidator thing, and he was a fun guy to watch. Now I like Clint Bowyer. He's a younger guy. The people I've gotten to know are with Richard Childress Racing and I don't want to be a bandwagon guy and jump on the guys that have already won the championships. I wanted to get with a relatively new guy. And Jack Daniels is always nice. (NOTE: Jack Daniels is Bowyer's primary sponsor.)

How good would you be in a NASCAR race? Would you mix it up or be scared?

I'd probably be scared. But with no cops to pull you over, you could go fast and not worry about that. Wrecking would be a problem. But I've seen some pretty bad wrecks and guys walking away. I don't think I'd be at the level of those guys, but I'd have fun doing it.

Do you have a car that could go racing?

I don't think they'd let me put my Ford truck on the track. I don't think it would make any of those turns. I don't have any cars I'd take out there. I'd love to go on a ride-along or one of the experiences, but that's probably going to have to wait until baseball is over.

You've been to a few races. Where do you sit?

I either watch it from the pits or one of the motor coaches in the infield. That's part of being friends with the guys at Childress. That's a nice deal. It's fun to see what goes on behind the scenes at a race.