HOUSTON, Texas — Nick Kurtz, the Oakland Athletics’ rookie sensation, delivered a performance for the ages Friday night, blasting four home runs in a 15-3 rout of the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. The 22-year-old first baseman etched his name into Major League Baseball history as the first rookie to hit four homers in a single MLB game.
Nick Kurtz dominated the Astros’ pitching staff, finishing 6-for-6 with eight RBIs and six runs scored. His offensive onslaught included a single, a double, and four towering home runs in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings. The final homer, a three-run shot off Astros outfielder-turned-pitcher Cooper Hummel, capped a night that tied the MLB record for total bases (19) in a game, matching Shawn Green’s 2002 feat with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nick Kurtz also became the first player ever to record at least six hits, six runs, and eight RBIs in a single game.
The 6-foot-5 slugger, selected fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest, showcased his power against four different Astros pitchers: starter Ryan Gusto, relievers Nick Hernandez and Kaleb Ort, and position player Cooper Hummel. His longest drive, a 414-foot solo shot in the eighth, highlighted a night where his double in the fourth fell just inches shy of a fifth homer. Kurtz’s 19 total bases also tied a modern-era record, and his six hits marked the first such performance by an Athletics player since Joe DeMaestri in 1955.
Kurtz’s historic night further solidified his case for the American League Rookie of the Year award. Entering the game as a -325 favorite, his odds surged to -2500 by the end of the night, leaving teammate Jacob Wilson, a former frontrunner, at +800. Kurtz’s season stats now stand at a .305 batting average, .374 on-base percentage, and .686 slugging percentage, with 23 home runs and 59 RBIs over 271 plate appearances in 66 games. Since May 20, he has hit .352 with 22 homers and 53 RBIs in 43 games, boasting a 1.060 OPS that trails only Aaron Judge among MLB hitters.
The Athletics’ victory, powered by Kurtz’s unprecedented performance, handed the AL West-leading Astros a rare lopsided defeat. Teammates Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers also homered, while pitcher Jeffrey Springs allowed two runs over six innings to secure the win. Kurtz’s 12-game hitting streak, during which he’s batting .553 with nine homers, underscores his rapid rise as a cornerstone for Oakland’s future.
At 22 years, 135 days old, Kurtz became the youngest player to hit four homers in a game, surpassing previous record-holders by nearly 100 days. His performance drew widespread acclaim across social media, with fans and analysts hailing it as one of the greatest offensive games in baseball history. As the Athletics continue their series against the Astros, Kurtz’s breakout season signals a bright future for the franchise.
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