HOUSTON -- The Oakland Athletics could think of no better way to erase the memory of a blowout loss to the Houston Astros than to turn things around on the AL West leaders on Tuesday night.

Matt Olson and Sean Murphy each homered twice, and the Athletics tagged Wade Miley for seven runs in the first inning and scored a season high in a 21-7 rout of the Astros.

After being blanked in a lopsided loss on Monday, Oakland recovered to win its seventh of nine and remained a half-game ahead of Cleveland for the second AL wild-card spot.

"It's awesome to respond to -- there's no other way to put it -- the [butt]-kicking that we got yesterday,'' Olson said. "To be able to come back. We always know we can compete against these guys, and to do it in the fashion that we did today was nice."

The Astros were coming off a 21-1 win over Seattle on Sunday and a 15-0 thrashing of Oakland on Monday in which they hit seven homers.

But on Tuesday, the A's tied a franchise record with 25 hits and built a 7-0 lead in the first inning without an extra-base knock. They still ended up tying a season high with six homers after not hitting any in their previous two games. Their 25 hits were the most they'd hit since 1969.

Khris Davis hit Oakland's first long ball in the second inning. Olson went deep in the third and added another homer in a six-run fourth that also featured blasts by Sean Murphy and Marcus Semien to push the lead to 17-2. The A's set a franchise record for runs scored through the first four innings.

Murphy homered again in the fifth, and Semien added an RBI double.

"They executed pretty flawlessly, and they crushed the ball later in the game," Houston manager AJ Hinch said.

All nine Oakland starters had at least two hits, and six players finished with three each. Olson and Murphy had three hits and four RBIs apiece and Davis and Semien drove in three runs each.

Olson has a career-high 31 homers this season, joining Mark McGwire (eight times) and Jason Giambi (twice) as the only Oakland third basemen to top 30.

The Astros got two homers each from George Springer and Martin Maldonado to give them a franchise-record 252 this season as their five-game winning streak ended.

Houston became the first team in the majors to score 20 or more runs in a game and allow 20 or more runs in a different game in a three-game span since Aug. 6-7, 1894, when the Brooklyn Bridegrooms did it, according to STATS.

The Astros are the third MLB team to have three straight games decided by 14 or more runs and the first since the 1800s when in 1876 the Chicago White Stockings had a streak of four such games and the Cleveland Spiders had three in a row in 1893.

Tanner Roark (10-8) yielded eight hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings for his third straight win.

After Miley (13-5) had allowed five runs without getting an out in his last start against Seattle, Hinch was asked before the game what he'd like to see from his left-hander this time.

"I want him to get an out," Hinch joked.

Hinch certainly wasn't laughing when one out was all Miley managed before he was pulled with the Athletics leading 6-0. Miley allowed seven singles and walked one before he was replaced by Cy Sneed. He was charged with seven earned runs, which tied a season worst. The eight hits Oakland piled up in the first inning tied a season high.

"A lot of cutters in and you can either beat it on the ground or you can try to stay inside it and hit it the other way," Melvin said of his team's approach against Miley. "Just not trying to do too much and the hole's open at second and just trying to pass the baton on to the next guy."

Miley took his first loss since June 17. In his previous tough start, Houston rallied to win in 13 innings.

He was at a loss as to why things have gone so awry after he pitched so well all season.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm not thinking, 'What the hell is going on,'" Miley said. "[But] it's just baseball, it's a humbling game, I've just got to get back to work and try to get after it."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: SS Carlos Correa (sore lower back) is progressing, and if his next two days of rehabilitation go well, he will join Triple-A Round Rock for a rehabilitation game on Friday.

MARKING HIS SPOT

A day after Yordan Alvarez became the first Astro to hit a home run to the third deck at Minute Maid Park the Astros marked where it landed by painting the seat in the first row of section 337 orange.

It was the second of two homers he hit on Monday night to pass Carlos Correa for most home runs by a rookie in franchise history with 24.

ODDS AND ENDS

Davis hit his 20th homer on Tuesday to become the first Athletic with four straight 20-homer seasons since Eric Chavez had seven in a row from 2000-06. ... Semien scored two runs to give him 107 this season, which are the most since Miguel Tejada scored 108 in 2002. ... It was the third multi-homer game of Maldonado's career and his first since 2017.

UP NEXT

Oakland LHP Brett Anderson (11-9, 4.19 ERA) will pitch Wednesday against Houston's Jose Urquidy (1-1, 5.33). Anderson allowed eight hits and five runs in five innings of a 10-6 win over the Angels in his last start but did not factor in the decision.

Johnny Cueto threw a one-hit gem in his first game back for the San Francisco Giants since he had Tommy John surgery last year.

The right-hander struck out four and walked one in five shutout innings, leading the Giants over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 on Tuesday night.

He was relieved by Kyle Barraclough in the sixth after throwing 69 pitches.

"Like it was Opening Day," Cueto said.

Cueto, 33, was 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in nine starts last season before he was shut down. He is in the fourth year of a six-year, $130 million contract.

"That was a special night for Johnny, just so much hard work and coming back from so much,'' said Stephen Vogt, who caught Cueto's comeback outing. "Getting to be a small part of that with him was pretty special for me. It's been a long road for him to come back. He was just so happy today -- before the game, during the game, after the game you could just tell he was having fun."

Cueto went 1-2-3 in the first on 11 pitches with a strikeout and two groundouts before turning his cap around just for fun and pumping his fists.

He punched his hand into his glove in celebration, chomping his gum all the while.

"That's my game, every time I pitch just try to have fun," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Terrible news from Miami, where the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 4-3, but announced after the game that Christian Yelich will miss the rest of the season after breaking a kneecap on a foul ball in the first inning. The freak injury came on a 1-1 slider from Elieser Hernandez that Yelich fouled off the top of his right knee. He crumpled to the ground and lay there for a couple minutes before walking off under his own power, but grimacing in pain as he retreated into the clubhouse.

It's a devastating injury for the Brewers, who lose not just their best player, but a player who had a chance to win his second consecutive National League MVP award, as Yelich's season ends with him batting .329/.429/.671 with 44 home runs and 30 stolen bases. His combination of hitting with power, hitting for average and thievery on the bases has made him one of the most exciting players in the sport the past two seasons, an obvious fan favorite in Milwaukee but also one of the faces of the game as a superstar slugger.

The Brewers began the night two games back of the Chicago Cubs for the second wild-card berth and pushed across the winning run in the top of the ninth. Trent Grisham, Yelich's replacement in the lineup, contributed a key double. With closer Josh Hader unavailable, Drew Pomeranz worked around two hits in the bottom of the ninth for his first save.

General manager David Stearns commented after the game on the crushing loss:

David Stearns with the news that Christian Yelich has suffered a fractured right kneecap: pic.twitter.com/HxMVzccDxJ

— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) September 11, 2019

Lorenzo Cain also commented on losing his outfield mate:

Lorenzo Cain said Christian Yelich had tears in his eyes after learning his kneecap was broken, understandably so: pic.twitter.com/MO6dyvsYOk

— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) September 11, 2019

The Brewers are already playing with an injury-riddled lineup. Standout rookie second baseman Keston Hiura, second on the team in OPS, has been out since Aug. 30 with a hamstring strain. Mike Moustakas, who pinch-hit on Tuesday, has had just seven plate appearances since Aug. 26 due to a wrist injury. Cain (knee) and Ryan Braun (back) have been playing through injuries.

Somehow, the Brewers have nevertheless won five in a row -- including the final three games of a four-game series against the Cubs -- and eight of their past 10. There's not much solace here, but Yelich has missed time this year with recurring back problems and the Brewers are 10-7 when he doesn't start (11-7 if you count Tuesday's win). The Brewers also have the easiest remaining schedule of the NL playoff contenders as they have only one series remaining against a playoff contender (this weekend at St. Louis). They have two more games in Miami and, after the Cardinals series, finish up with the Padres, Pirates, Reds and Rockies.

Still, a makeshift lineup will now be even more makeshift. Travis Shaw started at third base on Tuesday and he's hitting .151. Cory Spangenberg started at second and he has a .273 OBP. Hernan Perez played shortstop and he has a .276 OBP. Cain is hitting just .253/.321/.353. Without their MVP candidate, and minus Hiura and Moustakas, you have to wonder where the runs will come from. At least the Brewers have some depth in the outfield with Grisham -- who has hit .263/.324/.455 in 33 games -- and Ben Gamel, but they're not going to come close to Yelich's production.

This Brewers team has found a way to overcome adversity, however. Last year, they won their final seven games and nine of their final 10 to force a tie with the Cubs for the NL Central title and then beat the Cubs in the tiebreaker game. This year, they've had to overcome the struggles and injuries in the rotation. Jhoulys Chacin, who started that tiebreaker game a year ago, went from staff ace to getting released in late August with a 5.79 ERA. Brandon Woodruff, their best starter this season, has been out since July 21 with an oblique injury. Corbin Burnes was supposed to be a key part of the rotation, but he's 1-5 with a 9.00 ERA. Then there's reliever Jeremy Jeffress, an All-Star last season who was recently cut loose as well.

Somehow the Brewers have fought through all of this and remained in the playoff race. They're going to need Grisham or Braun or Eric Thames to get on a roll. They need Moustakas back ASAP. Manager Craig Counsell showed restraint in not using Hader on Tuesday after he had pitched Saturday and Sunday against the Cubs, but he's probably going to have ride the dominant lefty a little harder these final two-plus weeks.

On paper, the Brewers have little chance. They've been outscored on the season, their best player is down, they have ground to make up and precious little time left. But don't count them out:

The mood in the #Brewers clubhouse was predictably muted. But that didn't stop a number of players from cheering a Cubs throwing error that allowed the Padres to take a 4-2 lead in San Diego with the game playing on the TVs.

— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) September 11, 2019

As they say, in baseball, anything can happen.

The golf world honored Arnold Palmer Tuesday, on what would have been his 90th birthday.

But much like Palmer's life, the tributes weren't only confined to golf. One of the most famous buildings in the world also joined in on the celebration.

The Empire State Building was lit up red, yellow, white and green, Arnie's signature colors, on Tuesday night in New York City. 

“My dad always said it was the greatest privilege to give back when possible, and the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation is a testament to that,” said Amy Palmer Saunders, Palmer’s daughter and Chair of the Arnold Palmer companies and the Foundation. “That the Empire State Building is honoring his efforts with a lighting on what would have been his 90^th birthday is a tremendous honor, and one that he would have enjoyed.”

Jordan Morris scored his first international goal in more than two years in the 79th minute, giving the United States a 1-1 tie against Uruguay in an exhibition game on Tuesday night.

Brian Rodriguez, a 19-year-old LAFC forward who made his international debut in Friday's 2-1 win at Costa Rica, put fifth-ranked Uruguay ahead off a counterattack in the 50th minute. Rodriguez took a pass from Federico Valverde, dribbled around defender Aaron Long and beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan to the near post with left-footed shot for his first international goal.

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Morris scored after Jose Gimenez's attempted clearance near the end line bounced of American defender Nick Lima and bounded in front of the open goal. Morris chested the ball in for his sixth international goal, his first since the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Jamaica.

Morris tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in February 2018 while playing with Seattle and did not return to the national team until March 2019. Morris' goal was the first for the 22nd-ranked U.S. since Christian Pulisic's 87th-minute strike in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal win over Jamaica.

The Americans have not been blanked in three straight games since 2009. The Americans have eight wins, four losses and two draws this year under coach Gregg Berhalter, hired in December to revive the team following its failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They close the year with home-and-home matches against Cuba and Canada in the new CONCACAF Nations League but largely are focused on the start of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup next September.

Joshua Sargent, an emerging 19-year-old forward from O'Fallon, Missouri, played in his hometown, where he sat in the stands for a 2015 World Cup qualifier. His header in first-half injury time when off a hand of defender José Giménez, but Costa Rican referee Ricardo Montero did not award a penalty kick. Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera made diving saves on Christian Roldan's header in the 11th minute and Sergino Dest's long-range shot in the 39th.

Dest, an 18-year-old who has gained playing time for Ajax this season, debuted for the U.S. on Friday and made his second straight start at left back.

Tyler Boyd had the best U.S. chance before the goal, but mishit an open right-footed shot from a Morris cross in the 22nd minute and sent the ball over the crossbar. Guzan's spill of a cross nearly led to a goal in the 23rd minute, but St. Louis native Tim Ream, captaining the U.S. for the third time, cleared Rodrigo Bentancur's shot off the goal line.

A day after his 35th birthday, Guzan was in goal for the Americans for the first time since last Nov. 15 at England. Midfielder Sebastian Lletget got his first start since a Lisfranc injury in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras on March 24, 2017.

The U.S. was missing many regulars. Central defender John Brooks, right back DeAndre Yedlin and midfielder Tyler Adams are hurt, goalkeeper Zack Steffen returned to their European clubs last weekend. Pulisic had also returned to club Chelsea.

Uruguay's roster did not include star forwards Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani or midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro.

DEBUT

Paxton Pomykal, a 19-year-old Dallas midfielder, made his U.S. debut when he replaced Morris in the 85th.

WELCOME BACK

The U.S. was making its first appearance at Busch Stadium since a 6-1 win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a World Cup qualifier on Nov. 13, 2015.

SMALL CROWD

The announced attendance was 20,625, well under the crowd of 35,761 that watched the U.S. women beat New Zealand 5-0 in a send-off series match at Busch Stadium on May 16.

A different lineup against a different opponent featuring a much more forgiving style looked to favor the U.S. men's national team against Uruguay. The result was different too, as Jordan Morris' 79th-minute tally allowed the U.S. to secure a 1-1 draw in St. Louis.

LAFC's Brian Rodriguez claimed the game's opening tally, finishing off a 50th-minute counterattack with a wicked strike past Brad Guzan. The U.S. didn't look capable of climbing back into the match, but in the 79th minute an attempted clearance from Jose Maria Gimenez caromed off Nick Lima and found Morris at the far post to chest home.

Positives

The U.S. looked much more fluid on the ball than it did against Mexico, linking passes and creating some decent opportunities in the first half. It must be said, however, that Uruguay's style of settling into a mid to low block suited the U.S. much better than Mexico's high-pressing from four days earlier. Jackson Yueill was basically allowed to operate as he wished and connected plenty of passes. Defensively, the U.S. was solid for the most part, although it did show some weakness in certain situations -- more on that in a bit. Of course, it helped that neither Luis Suarez nor Edinson Cavani were available.

The U.S. deserves credit for sticking to its task as well. Morris' goal was lucky, no doubt, but it will provide a bit of confidence ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League matches next month.

Negatives

Defensively, the U.S. looked vulnerable in transition even before Rodriguez's goal, allowing Uruguay to cut through with relative ease. The goal was simply a case of Uruguay eventually making the home side pay.

In attack, the U.S. needs to be more ruthless with the chances it creates. Granted Fernando Muslera delivered some sharp saves, but the Americans need to do much better in this area. The U.S. also struggled to break Uruguay down as the match wore on, at least until a flurry of subs entered the match.

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Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Given the way that the U.S. controlled matters in the first half, there was little to quibble about in terms of Gregg Berhalter's initial approach, especially given that the U.S. was shorn of seven starters that began the match last Friday against Mexico. The attack began to peter out for the U.S. as it struggled to create chances in the second half, but credit Berhalter for making some substitutions that tilted the match back towards the home side. Nick Lima in particular provided a spark with some telling crosses.

Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Brad Guzan, 5 -- Did well to claim a loose ball at the feet of Jonathan Rodriguez early, but his fumble in the 23rd minute nearly gifted Matias Vecino a goal. Not much he could do about Rodriguez's strike given the power put behind it.

DF Sergino Dest, 6 -- Created some problems for Uruguay by pushing high up the field and then tucking inside. Forced a fingertip save from Muslera in the 39th minute. Did get beaten by Rodriguez on one foray in the second half, but more good than bad. The question now is will he accept a call-up for the CONCACAF Nations League that will cap-tie him to the U.S.?

DF Tim Ream, 8 -- Impeccable distribution from Ream, who came to Guzan's rescue to block Vecino's aforementioned shot. Overall, an impressive homecoming from the St. Louis native.

DF Aaron Long, 4 -- Was a bit careless with his distribution at times and got absolutely eaten alive by Rodriguez for Uruguay's goal. Yes, Rodriguez's strike was quality, but Long needed to do much better.

DF Reggie Cannon, 6 -- Provided more of a stay-at-home presence than Dest, but held up well defensively. Had a perfect night (23 completed passes from 23 attempts) on the ball.

MF Cristian Roldan, 5 -- Nearly put the U.S. in front with an 11th-minute header, only to be denied by Muslera. Labored a bit in the second half and was outmuscled in the sequence leading up to Uruguay's goal. Needed to win the ball or commit a foul and he did neither.

MF Jackson Yueill, 7 -- Did plenty to link defense to attack by hitting diagonal balls into the attacking third, usually to Morris. Wasn't really tested defensively, but did his job. Only complaint is that some of his set-piece deliveries left a bit to be desired.

MF Sebastian Lletget, 6 -- Created a solid chance for Roldan in the first half, and was plenty involved in the U.S. attack during the first half. Faded a bit as the game went on in terms of his influence, although he was sharp on the ball.

FW Tyler Boyd, 4 -- He'll be having nightmares about his miss in the 22nd minute, when he somehow contrived to put his shot over the bar when on the doorstep. He barely got on the ball in the first half, although some of that was due to the U.S. team's success on the left flank. His game picked up after halftime, but a subpar performance overall.

FW Josh Sargent, 6 -- Provided some slick holdup play after dropping deeper into midfield, and should have won a penalty only for the referee to ignore a handball late in the first half by Gimenez. Didn't get much in the way of service in the second half.

FW Jordan Morris, 8 -- A near constant threat on the left wing, and should have had an assist on the opportunity he created for Boyd. Sure, his goal had an element of luck to it, but he'll take it, and it was just reward for his hard work.

Substitutes

DF Miles Robinson, 6 -- Was called into action immediately, and made some vital interventions.

FW Corey Baird, 5 -- Took up some good positions, but he needed to do better to pick out Gyasi Zardes on one crossing attempt.

FW Gyasi Zardes, N/R -- Threatened with a few runs, and did get one shot off, but not that impactful.

DF Nick Lima, N/R -- Made an immediate impact with some telling crosses, and helped keep the play alive in the run-up to Morris' goal.

MF Paxton Pomykal, N/R -- Had one driving run in the 88th minute that put the Uruguay defense under pressure.

DF Daniel Lovitz, N/R -- Settled in at left-back, although he mostly stayed home given Lima's forays forward.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 242 for 6 (Thomas 71, Lewis 53, Oshane 4-53) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 241 for 4 (Gayle 116, Walton 73, Allen 2-30) by four wickets

A rollicking run-fest at St Kitts ended with the second-highest T20 chase of all time, with home team Patriots scaling down Jamaica Tallawahs' 241 with seven balls to spare. The batting records tumbled on a night where the CPL got two high scores in a matter of hours. In all, 37 sixes were hit in the match, joint-highest in T20 cricket. The win also resulted in the first points taken by a team other than Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders in this edition of the CPL.

Chris Gayle held the largest share of that, hitting ten sixes as he made his 22nd T20 ton in the company of Chadwick Walton, whose 36-ball 73 came in a record stand of 162. But Evin Lewis set the chase rolling with the fastest CPL fifty, off 17 balls, and the rest of the top four put in significant performances as Patriots overcame a late stumble to complete the win.

Patriots hand the advantage early

After a delayed start due to broadcast issues, Patriots opted to open the bowling with the left-arm spin of Fabian Allen. This played into the hands of Chris Gayle, who hit him for two sixes and a four. In the second over, Alzarri Joseph bowled two bouncers to concede a no-ball, bowled a wide off the free hit, and then a short ball to give away a four. Without any risks, Tallawahs got 26 off the first two and put the pressure on Patriots.

A record partnership, a record total

Despite the early damage, Patriots enforced a brief period of quiet through bowling their seamers for seven overs in a row, including bowling six straight dot balls to Walton at the start of his innings. But when legspinner Usama Mir came on, the shackles were broken again. Walton hit him for two glorious straight sixes in an over that went for 19, and the pair didn't relent from there. Walton kept the rate up when Gayle was kept quiet, with stylish strokes straight over the bowlers, and one especially inventive ramp over third man.

Mir's second over set Gayle free, the flat trajectory landing nicely in his arc as he lifted him over long-on in a 15-run over. With runs coming quickly from both ends, Patriots' haphazard bowling plans were put under even more pressure. Between the 11th and 16th over, Tallawahs hit 13 sixes. Only in one over during that period did an over go for under two sixes.

In a rare quiet over, the 17th, Gayle brought up his 22nd T20 hundred, and off the next ball, the pair took a double that brought up the highest CPL partnership for any wicket - 162. Walton fell for a 36-ball 73, Gayle fell to Allen - who also got Russell - in the last over for 116. But it was too late by then. The last 10 overs had gone for 153 and Tallawahs had reached a CPL record total.

Patriots fly in the chase

The record-breaking continued into the Patriots innings, with the pitch proving with every over that it had nothing for the bowlers. Evin Lewis picked the off side against both Jerome Taylor and offspinner Steven Jacobs, hitting delightful sixes square off the former, and attacking the straight boundaries off the latter. Opening with the promoted Devon Thomas, Lewis brought up a 17-ball fifty, the fastest in CPL history, and was dismissed with the score on 85 in 5.3 overs. With 89, Patriots had the second-highest Powerplay score in the CPL.

The wicket didn't put a stop to the scoring. At No. 3, Laurie Evans began with a four first ball and continued the attack with Thomas. He was fed several leg-stump deliveries, some of them duly put away for six, as Thomas was characteristically more deft with about his scoring options, trying to pick the gaps in the field to hit more fours than sixes. They put on 76 off 39 before Evans' check-shot found sweeper cover at the end of the 12th over. At that point, they needed 81 off eight overs, far below the original asking rate of 12.10.

Allen shows how it's done

Wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips took a sensational flying catch to his right, one-handed, as Thomas' attempted slog against Oshane took a big outside edge. It turned out to be the first of three wickets in the 14th over, which had begun with Patriots needing 9.42 per over with eight wickets in hand. Captain Carlos Brathwaite slapped one to sweeper cover, and Jason Mohammed edged down leg side trying to pull. From 161 for 1, Patriots fell to 177 for 5.

From being favourites, Patriots seemed to be slipping, with their coaching staff visibly frustrated at what seemed to be a compulsion to play big shots. But Allen alleviated any anxieties from the Oshane over, playing two controlled shots - a classy drive past mid-off, a cut past point - to pick up boundaries off consecutive balls against Andre Russell.

At the other end, Shamarh Brooks survived after swinging and missing at a few, before he too found the boundaries in an important 15-ball 27. When he fell, he and Allen had put up 50. In the next three balls, Allen pulled Russell over midwicket, cut him past point, and hooked him over short fine leg to seal the victory with seven balls to spare. Allen's unbeaten 37 came at a remarkable strike rate of 246.66, considering how chanceless and risk-free his innings had been.