Houston — Baseball fans witnessed something unforgettable Saturday night, as Oakland Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz exploded for one of the most dominant single-game performances in Major League Baseball history.
The 22-year-old slugger went a perfect 6-for-6, crushed four home runs, scored six times, and drove in eight RBIs, tying the all-time record for total bases in a game with 19. That performance places him shoulder-to-shoulder with MLB legends—and he’s just getting started.
The Game That Stunned the Baseball World
From the very first pitch, it was clear something special was unfolding at Daikin Park in Houston. Kurtz, batting cleanup for the A’s, turned every plate appearance into fireworks:
- A solid single in the first inning
- A two-run homer in the second
- An RBI double in the fourth
- A solo homer in the sixth
- Another solo shot in the eighth
- And finally, a dramatic three-run blast in the ninth
His final home run, launched into the Crawford Boxes, came off Astros utility player Cooper Hummel, who was pitching in relief during the blowout.
The crowd, though primarily Astros fans, couldn’t help but cheer. They knew they were watching history in real time.
A Rookie Record, and Then Some
Nick Kurtz didn’t just have a hot night — he redefined what a rookie can do. He’s now:
- The first rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game
- One of only 20 players ever to accomplish the 4-HR feat
- Tied for the most total bases (19) in a single game, matching Shawn Green’s 2002 record
For context: many Hall of Famers played 20+ years and never came close to a night like this.
Who Is Nick Kurtz? Wake Forest Star Turned Big League Beast
Before donning the green and gold of Oakland, Kurtz was a feared left-handed bat at Wake Forest University, where he shattered records and intimidated pitchers in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
- In 2024, he led Wake Forest in nearly every offensive category:
22 home runs, 57 RBIs, 78 walks, and a career on-base percentage of .531 - He broke the program’s career walk record with 189 and earned First Team All-American honors
A product of hard work and relentless plate discipline, Kurtz was selected 4th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. Scouts praised his mix of power, patience, and leadership—and now, the world sees exactly why.
What Fans Are Googling Right Now
Following his historic night, Nick Kurtz’s name surged to the top of trending search lists across the U.S. Here’s what fans are dying to know:
- “Is Nick Kurtz the best rookie in baseball right now?”
- “Nick Kurtz college stats – Wake Forest dominance”
- “Has a rookie ever hit 4 HRs in a game?”
- “Kurtz total bases record?”
The short answer: Yes, yes, and yes. Nick Kurtz didn’t just make history — he broke the internet with it.
From Promise to Phenomenon
Kurtz has been quietly heating up since late May, hitting over .350 with 22 homers and 53 RBIs in the last 43 games. But July 26 wasn’t just a peak—it was a breakthrough. He now leads all rookies in:
- Home runs
- RBIs
- Slugging percentage
- Extra-base hits
And suddenly, there’s no debate about the American League Rookie of the Year race. It’s Nick Kurtz’s to lose.
Reactions Pour In Across Baseball
Social media went wild. Former pros, fans, even opposing players couldn’t hold back their awe.
- “This kid’s got ice in his veins and thunder in his bat,” tweeted a former MVP.
- “I’ve never seen a rookie do that to big-league pitching. Ever,” said an Astros player postgame.
- One Wake Forest fan simply wrote: “He was HIM at Wake. He’s HIM now.”
The A’s clubhouse was electric. Kurtz, typically quiet, humbly said:
“Honestly, I was just seeing the ball well and trying to put good swings on it. This is a dream.”
What’s Next? Bigger Things, Bigger Dreams
Nick Kurtz just wrote the first chapter of what’s beginning to look like a legendary career. He’s young. He’s fearless. And now, he’s in the spotlight.
With postseason aspirations building in Oakland and baseball fans tuning in coast to coast, one thing is clear:
The league just met its next superstar.