(Best E Casino) - Right-hander Zack Greinke will try to replicate the effort, but not the result of an early season meeting when the Kansas City Royals host the Texas Rangers in the second test of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

Greinke, a first-round draft pick in 2002, tossed seven innings of four-hit, two-run ball against the Rangers on May 1 in Arlington, but nonetheless came out on the short end of a 2-1 decision after walking none and striking out nine.

The loss was his first of the season and the only one in his initial nine starts of 2008, during which the Royals went 7-2 in his appearances.

Things have become more difficult since, as Greinke has won just four times in 17 subsequent appearances, including losses in five of his last seven decisions.

He dropped a 10-3 verdict in his last outing on Aug. 21, allowing six hits and a single earned run in five innings against Cleveland.

Greinke is 2-3 over eight lifetime appearances - six starts - against the Rangers in 35 innings of work.

For Texas, veteran right-hander Kevin Millwood won his last start with a complete game after going winless in four straight starts since mid July.

He downed the Detroit Tigers, 9-1, on August 20 in Texas, allowing six hits and a run in nine innings with one walk and four strikeouts.

Previously, he'd gone 0-3 in four starts while giving up 33 hits and 18 runs in 18 innings.

He's picked up a win and a no-decision in two starts against the Royals this season, combining to surrender 18 hits and 10 runs in 12 1/3 innings.

Lifetime against Kansas City, he is 5-3 in 10 starts with a 5.22 ERA over 58 2/3 innings.

On Monday, Milton Bradley went 3-for-4 with three RBI as the Rangers downed the Royals, 9-4.

Nelson Cruz went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run while Chris Davis hit a solo shot for the Rangers, who had dropped six of seven coming into the game.

Scott Feldman (5-5) gave up three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits in seven innings of work to grab the win.

David DeJesus went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Gil Meche (10-10) was saddled with the loss as he gave up five runs on a career-high 14 hits in 6 1/3 innings of work for the Royals, who have lost eight of their last nine games.

Texas has won five of seven from the Royals this season.