Nick Kurtz Makes MLB History with Four-Home Run Game in Athletics’ Rout of Astros
Nick Kurtz etched his name into Major League Baseball history on Friday night, becoming the first rookie ever to hit four home runs in a single game during the Oakland Athletics’ commanding 15–3 victory over the Houston Astros.
The 22-year-old phenom delivered one of the most dominant performances ever seen in an MLB game — rookie or not — racking up 19 total bases, tying a league record set by Shawn Green in 2002.
“It still hasn’t sunk in,” said a stunned Kurtz postgame. “A game like that? It’s something you don’t even dream about — because it just doesn’t happen.”
Kurtz went an astounding 6-for-6 at the plate, homering in the 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 9th innings, with additional hits including a single in the 1st and a 381-foot double in the 4th that would’ve cleared the fence in six other ballparks, per ESPN. He finished the night with six runs scored and eight RBIs.
“Arguably the best individual game I’ve ever seen,” said Athletics manager Mark Kotsay. “This kid keeps delivering jaw-dropping moments.”
Kurtz becomes just the 20th player in MLB history — and the first in Athletics franchise history — to hit four home runs in one game. Even more impressive, he did it in just his 66th career appearance, shattering the previous record held by Mark Whiten, who achieved the feat in his 425th game back in 1993.
At just 22 years old, Kurtz also becomes the youngest player ever to hit four homers in a game, surpassing Pat Seerey, who was 25 when he did it in 1948 for the Chicago White Sox.
His record-setting night unfolded in front of a special audience — his parents and godparents were in the stands at Daikin Park. “First time my godparents were here — now they probably have to come to every game,” Kurtz joked afterward.
Selected fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Kurtz’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The Pennsylvania native now boasts 23 home runs on the season and is riding a 12-game hitting streak, during which he has tallied 20 extra-base hits.
