Athletics' offense awakens in win over Twins

Kevin Smith belted a two-run homer and Sean Murphy had a two-run single as the Oakland Athletics snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-2 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

Reliever Zach Jackson (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his first career victory. Dany Jimenez recorded the final five outs for his seventh save.

Oakland, which entered the game batting .199 on the season, outhit Minnesota 1