On Friday evening, something remarkable happened during the Oakland Athletics’ 15–3 victory over the Houston Astros. Nick Kurtz, just 22 years old, pulled off a feat never seen before from a first-year player: he hit four home runs in one game, writing his name into baseball’s record books in unforgettable fashion.
As if that wasn’t enough, Kurtz’s dominance at the plate led to him collecting 19 total bases, a number that ties the all-time single-game mark first reached by Shawn Green back in 2002. His achievement didn’t just shine among rookies; it stood out across all levels of the sport.
A Night That Felt Unreal
Shortly after the game, Kurtz struggled to find the right words. Speaking to reporters, he admitted that the experience felt surreal. He said he never even imagined having a night like this, simply because it’s so rare that it feels like something out of a dream. The emotion of the moment was written all over his face.
During the game, Kurtz went a perfect six-for-six. He launched home runs in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings, each one off a different Astros pitcher.
On top of those, he also had a single in the first inning and crushed a 381-foot double in the fourth, which, according to ESPN, would have cleared the fence in six other stadiums. He rounded out his night with six runs scored and eight RBIs.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay could hardly contain his amazement, calling it the greatest performance he had ever witnessed from one individual player. Kurtz, it seems, continues to deliver moments that leave viewers and teammates stunned.
Breaking Franchise and League Records
Nick Kurtz now joins a very small group of players in league history who have gone deep four times in one game; he’s just the 20th ever to do it. No one in the history of the Athletics has done so until now, making this an unforgettable chapter in the club’s history.
What truly sets his performance apart is how early it has come in his professional journey. Mark Whiten once held the record for the earliest four-home-run game, which he pulled off in his 425th major league appearance in 1993. Kurtz accomplished the same feat in only his 66th game.
At 22 years old, Kurtz also shattered the previous age mark. Before now, the youngest player to hit four home runs in one game was Pat Seerey, who was 25 when he did it back in 1948 with the White Sox.
A Family Witnesses History
There was a special family connection in the crowd during Kurtz’s unforgettable showing. His parents and godparents were in attendance at Daikin Park, witnessing his record-setting night up close. He joked afterward that since his godparents brought such good luck, they might need to attend every game for the rest of the season.
Kurtz was chosen fourth in the 2024 Draft by the Athletics, and his rapid rise since then has surprised many. The Pennsylvania-born slugger already has 23 home runs under his belt this season. On top of that, he’s currently riding a 12-game hitting streak, during which he’s piled up 20 extra-base hits.
For a rookie, Kurtz’s progress at the plate has been nothing short of astonishing.
