A three-run sixth inning, highlighted by Josh Hamilton's triple that drove in Ryan Roberts and Adam Melhuse, gave the Rangers the lead for good. Nate Gold added a home run in the eighth off Trevor Hoffman. A handful of relievers started the game, including Jamey Wright, Eddie Guardado, Kameron Loe and Wes Littleton. Loe allowed one run, and the others pitched scoreless innings.

Hits: With runners at first and third with one out, Wright struck out former Ranger Adrian Gonzalez and got Khalil Green to ground out. ... LF David Murphy singled in the second. He's batting nearly .400 this spring.

Misses: Gerald Laird was robbed of a hit on a diving catch by Scott Hairston. ... Loe hit Hairston on a 1-2 pitch with one out in the third. Hairston then stole second, went to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch by Loe.

Up next: The Rangers host the Chicago White Sox at 3:05 p.m. in Surprise, Ariz. RHP Vicente Padilla starts for the Rangers and RHP Gavin Floyd takes the mound for Chicago.

Health (fair): It's a good day for Texas when three pitchers with minor injuries (Kevin Millwood, Joaquin Benoit, C.J. Wilson) pitch and feel good.

Quick (fair): Eddie Guardado worked efficiently, getting three quick outs in his one inning of work.

Extras(fair): Josh Hamilton had a two-RBI triple. He has five extra-base hits this spring.

Jamey Wright, an Oklahoma City native, has played for six major league teams, so he knows a little something about road trips. Here's his take on life away from home and some places he likes to go.

Do you like going on the road?

I don't mind road trips. The only thing that's bad for me is being away from family. But it's a time to get caught up on rest. We have little children, so it gives me time to sleep, and I don't have to get up and change diapers and put them back to bed. I have a 4-year-old daughter, 16-month-old little boy and another boy on the way, due at the end of June. How about that?

Wow. You do need some breaks. What are some good towns to go to?

Chicago. Playing the Cubs is always my favorite. It's seems like when we go, it's a weekend, middle of the summer, perfect weather and a packed house. After the game, I like to go hang around the ballpark, have a beer across the street. Usually some family is in town. There are great restaurants, night life, and you can walk Michigan Ave. There's more shopping than in Oklahoma City.

Any other favorites?

San Francisco. I played there for one year, but the energy of the city is great. I like to go down to the marina. For some reason, that year I was mesmerized by the Golden Gate Bridge. There was a spot where I sat with coffee and caught up on phone calls, and the bridge and Alcatraz were right there. There is something about the big cities. Maybe it's because I'm from Oklahoma City.

Did some veterans tell you about those places?

They did. Guys would take me and tell me where to go. I got to go to lunch with different guys. I know the spots now, and I tell the young guys where the good places are.

How about the transportation to these trips?

If you saw our plane, you'd swear we are spoiled rotten. That plane is nice. But you get into cities at four in the morning and playing games every night takes its toll. Being away from family is tough, too. You can be gone seven days or 12 days every couple of weeks. I'd come home and my daughter would be upset with me because I was gone. It breaks your heart because they change so much at a young age. But getting paid to play baseball is great, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. But the travel is tough. These young guys who are single and don't have kids, they've got it made.