OAKLAND, California (AP) ― Tyson Ross was right at home with family and friends enjoying a birthday celebration and making his second start of the season. His teammates helped give him the best gift of all.

Seth Smith hit a two-run homer, helping Ross get his first win in nearly a year as the Oakland Athletics avoided a series sweep with a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

“I always seem to end up pitching on my birthday,” said Ross, celebrating his 25th birthday. “This was definitely a good birthday. I’m kind of picking up where I left off before the injury last year.”

He did not pitch in the majors last season after May 20 because of a strained left oblique.

“The ability is there,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He was a high pick, he has good stuff and I’ve seen his confidence grow since spring training. It’s a mindset that says ‘here it comes.’ That shows confidence in what he has.”

Cliff Pennington had two hits and drove in two runs for the A’s, who ended a two-game slide and have won four of six. Kurt Suzuki also drove in a run.

“It was a nice day for a few of us to get going,” Pennington said. “Any time you have a starting pitcher dealing like that you want to make an effort as an offense to get him the win.”

Ross (1-0) allowed a run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked a career-high five and struck out four while getting his first victory since last May 14 against the Chicago White Sox.

Rangers get past Tigers in 11

DETROIT (AP) ― Alberto Gonzalez squared to bunt, hoping to drive in the go-ahead run on a squeeze play. The ball hit his bat and glanced off his right leg before bouncing off the ground and out toward the pitcher.

Then the Texas Rangers caught a break.

Instead of being called a foul ball, Gonzalez’s bunt went for an RBI infield single in the 11th inning, lifting the Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Gonzalez admitted after the game the ball hit him around the knee ― and a replay confirmed that ― but the play stood.

“As soon as he hit the ball and saw the ball was fair, he didn’t stop himself,” Gonzalez’s translator said. “He was trying to go to first base. He knew the job was done.”

St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 1

Tampa Bay 6, Minnesota 2

Houston 12, LA Dodgers 0

Toronto 5, Kansas City 3

Colorado 4, Milwaukee 1

Cincinnati 4, Chicago Cubs 3

Baltimore 3, LA Angels 2

San Diego 6, Philadelphia 1

Chicago White Sox 7, Seattle 4

Arizona 6, Atlanta 4

NY Yankees at Boston ppd.

San Francisco at NY Mets ppd.

Miami at Washington ppd.