Houston, Texas | July 25, 2025 – In one of the most jaw-dropping, record-smashing, and unforgettable performances in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, Oakland Athletics’ rookie Nick Kurtz launched himself into legend with a six-hit, four-home-run masterpiece that netted him a record-tying 19 total bases in a single game.
Facing the Houston Astros under the Friday night lights, the 22-year-old outfielder went 6-for-6, including four home runs, one double, and one single. He drove in eight runs and crossed the plate six times, setting franchise records and putting the entire league on notice.
This was more than just a great game. This was baseball history in the making.
A Night to Remember Forever
There are great games, then there are games that shift careers and redefine what’s possible. For Nick Kurtz, Friday’s matchup against the Astros was both.
Nick Kurtz became:
- The first rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in one game.
- One of only a handful of players ever to collect six hits in a game.
- Just the second player in MLB history to amass 19 total bases in a single game.
The records, milestones, and stats from this one game read like an entire season of highlights.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let’s put his stat line into context:
| Category | Nick Kurtz (July 25, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Hits | 6-for-6 |
| Home Runs | 4 |
| Doubles | 1 |
| Singles | 1 |
| RBIs | 8 |
| Runs Scored | 6 |
| Total Bases | 19 (tied all-time record) |
Those 19 total bases tie the all-time MLB record set more than two decades ago.
At-Bat Breakdown: The Legend Unfolds
Let’s revisit each magical plate appearance:
- 1st Inning – Single: A clean base hit to left. It seemed routine, but it set the tone for a monster night.
- 2nd Inning – Two-Run Home Run: Crushed a 404-foot shot over the right-center wall. The A’s took an early lead.
- 4th Inning – Double Off the Wall: Missed a home run by inches. This was his only extra-base hit that didn’t leave the park.
- 6th Inning – Solo Home Run: This time, a 412-foot rocket to dead center field.
- 8th Inning – Third Home Run: A no-doubt moonshot into the upper deck. Fans began to realize they were witnessing history.
- 9th Inning – Fourth Home Run: The final blow, an opposite-field blast, solidified his place in MLB lore.
Each at-bat had its own drama, and each hit came off a different pitcher.
Rookie Records Shattered
Nick Kurtz isn’t just making headlines—he’s rewriting the rookie record books.
- Most home runs in a game by a rookie: 4 (First ever to do it).
- Most total bases in a game by a rookie: 19.
- Most RBIs in a game by a rookie this season: 8.
- Most hits in a game by an Athletics rookie: 6.
His slugging percentage for the night was an astronomical 3.167, a number that defies belief.
Teammates React: ‘He Was in Another Universe’
In the dugout, disbelief turned to celebration as Nick Kurtz rounded the bases for the fourth time. Teammates stood in awe.
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson said, “He was in another universe tonight. Every time he stepped up, you just knew something special was about to happen.”
Pitcher Jeffrey Springs added, “I’ve never seen anything like it in my career. And he’s a rookie? That’s scary.”
Even Astros fans gave Kurtz a standing ovation after his fourth homer.
Postgame Comments: Humble and Honored
Despite the spotlight, Nick Kurtz remained humble in his postgame comments:
“It still doesn’t feel real. I just wanted to put good swings on the ball and help the team. I wasn’t thinking about records. I was just in the moment.”
When asked about tying the total bases record, he smiled and said, “That’s wild. I didn’t even know what the record was until someone told me.”
Oakland Athletics’ Future Looks Bright
With Nick Kurtz emerging as a generational talent, the Oakland Athletics suddenly have a franchise cornerstone to build around.
Coming off a challenging rebuild, this performance gave fans a reason to believe. Merchandise sales for Kurtz jerseys skyrocketed overnight, and social media buzzed with one word: Superstar.
Fans are calling him “K-Bomb” and “The Natural 2.0.”
National Impact: A Star is Born
MLB analysts across the country agreed—this wasn’t just a great game, it was the performance of the season. National sports shows led with the highlights. Talk radio exploded with trade questions, MVP buzz, and rookie-of-the-year predictions.
And why not? With 23 home runs in just 66 games, Kurtz is on pace to challenge records for a full rookie season.
Kurtz’s Journey: From College Phenom to MLB Hero
Nick Kurtz wasn’t an overnight success—he earned this.
- High School: A highly recruited athlete from Pennsylvania.
- College: Dominated at Wake Forest, where he hit over .370 with elite OBP numbers.
- Drafted: 4th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft.
- Minor League: Fast-tracked through Triple-A due to his plate discipline and advanced bat.
Scouts always saw potential. But few expected this level of excellence so early.
Comparing to the Greats
Only one player in MLB history—Shawn Green—had achieved 6 hits, 4 home runs, and 19 total bases in a single game. But he was a veteran at the time.
Nick Kurtz did it as a rookie, making his feat arguably even more impressive.
Names being mentioned in comparison include:
- Ken Griffey Jr.
- Albert Pujols
- Mike Trout
Those are rarefied names—and Kurtz now stands among them.
Manager’s Take: “One for the Books”
Athletics Manager Mark Kotsay called the game “the best individual performance I’ve ever witnessed—period.”
He added, “What Nick did tonight was bigger than the win. It was a message to baseball fans everywhere: the A’s are back, and we have a superstar.”
A’s vs Astros: The Final Score
While Nick Kurtz stole the show, the Oakland Athletics won the game convincingly:
- Final Score: Athletics 15, Astros 3
- Hits: Athletics 20, Astros 7
- Home Runs: Athletics 5, Astros 1
- Errors: None
Kurtz accounted for over 50% of the A’s runs and nearly 30% of their hits.
Momentum Moving Forward
Following this game:
- Kurtz extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
- His batting average jumped to .305.
- He now leads all MLB rookies in home runs, RBIs, OPS, and total bases.
If he continues this pace, not only is the Rookie of the Year award a near lock, but MVP buzz might also follow.
Historical Significance
This performance will be remembered for decades. It will join the list of:
- Single-game power explosions
- Greatest rookie feats
- Athletics’ franchise milestones
Statisticians are still reviewing whether Kurtz’s performance ranks as the single greatest offensive game ever by a rookie. Many believe it already is.
Fan Reactions: ‘We Witnessed a Miracle’
Across social media, fans flooded timelines with praise:
- “Nick Kurtz is HIM.”
- “That’s not baseball. That’s a video game.”
- “Give the man the key to the city.”
Even opposing fans admitted it was one of the greatest hitting performances they’d ever seen in per
