Nick Kurtz set an MLB historical mark against the Houston Astros. This one-huge 15-3 victory saw the 22-year-old slugger go 6-for-6 with four home runs, plus 19 total bases.
Kurtz ran around the bases six times and knocked in eight runs, leaving fans shell-shocked while he rewrote the rookie record books. Never before has any rookie done four homers in a single game.
This feat puts Kurtz in an exclusive group, with 20 players hitting four home runs in one game throughout MLB history.
He tied the record for most total bases in a game, and with Shawn Green’s legendary performance in 2002, was destined for the record books. This is the defining moment for the rebuilding Oakland Athletics and a warning shot to the rest of the league.
Nick Kurtz goes 6-for-6 with four homers and 19 total bases in A’s 15–3 win over Astros.
What made this MLB performance so historic?
Nick Kurtz went deep in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings. Each solo shot was hit against a different pitcher of the Astros. His last shot came in the ninth against Cooper Hummel, who was a position player pitching.
Probably his highlight one was a 414-foot smash off reliever Kaleb Ort. This was the second time in 2025 that a player swatted four home runs in his game. Eugenio Suárez did so earlier for the Arizona Diamondbacks on 26 April.
But Kurtz is the first place in the history of the sport to be a rookie doing it. He also became only the second player in MLB history to go 6-for-6 in a four-homer game. The only other player? Shawn Green.
Could the Astros have stopped him?
Small wonder the Houston Astros were due to an injury or a weary bullpen, short-handed, so fewer of their main pitchers. Starting pitcher Ryan Gusto allowed four runs inside and as well was unable to stem the tide of Oakland’s momentum.
Multiple pitching changes were unable to stop the batting splurge. By the ninth inning, the Astros were forced to use a position player on the mound.
This was just a clear illustration of how off the rails things had gone for the team. Error after error continued to pile woes on Houston’s side of the sheet, adding to the drubbing.
The Astros had been winners for four in a row before losing that momentum on this very night.
Is Nick Kurtz now the Rookie of the Year frontrunner?
Nick Kurtz has been electric during his first 66 MLB games. And after this outing, he has a .305 average and 1.060 OPS.
He has also hit 23 home runs and amassed 59 RBIs. Leading all rookies in extra-base hits with 43, also.
Few first-year players have ever made an impact so fast. Manager Kotsay called it “the best single-player game I ever watched.”
And the statistics back him up. This was not just a good game. This was a historically dominant one.
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How did the Athletics benefit from Kurtz’s monster game?
The Oakland Athletics have seen difficult times in the recent past, but Kurtz represents a new beginning. His six-hit, six-run production refuelled the energy in the team and stunned their foes, the Astros.
Building around an evolving young core, Oakland now has a line presence to build around. Not only does Kurtz hit homers, but he does so when it matters. He gets the job done, and nothing frightens him in that batter’s box.
Not much has been going for the A’s fans in recent times. But this one stands in big contradiction to that.
Can anyone stop him?
Nick Kurtz is a nightmare for any pitcher. He only seems to have one thing in mind: the big swing, except that he equally studies every at-bat. Kurtz has power and plate discipline that are not usually seen in rookies. An Astros team learned this the hard way.
Everett’s at-bat is a highlight reel for Kurtz. Now, players on opposing teams have a whirring buzz in their ears on Kurtz. Soon, coaches will spend endless hours piecing together how to pitch against him.
For now, I’ve got to say, Kurtz has cemented himself with all the momentum in the world. Not just having a great rookie year, he will be remembered as a legend.
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A new face of Oakland’s baseball revival
A spark was needed by the Oakland Athletics. Nick Kurtz went off with everything he had.
That four-homer game will be replayed for years. He joined the most elite club of baseball players, alongside the likes of Mike Schmidt and Lou Gehrig.
But he’s the only player to do it as a rookie. More importantly, he has regenerated a fan base and burst the last few remaining doubts.
Oakland has their star. And the Major League Baseball has a new name to remember-Nick Kurtz.
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