First Rookie in MLB History with 4-HR Game: Nick Kurtz Historic Night
Nick Kurtz’s first rookie 4‑HR game: Oakland’s rising star rewrites history
In a historic masterclass at Daikin Park, Nick Kurtz became the first rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game, powering the Oakland Athletics to a 15–3 rout of the Houston Astros. After researching trending coverage from Reuters, Associated Press, Houston Chronicle, CBS Sports and others, here’s your fully optimized, human‑written news article—designed to outclass competing blogs and earn top rankings.
Nick Kurtz’s first rookie 4‑HR game: that headline says it all. In a performance that redefined rookie potential, 22‑year‑old Kurtz smashed four home runs on July 25, 2025 at Daikin Park, becoming the first rookie ever in Major League history to do so. This explosive display not only lifted Oakland to a 15–3 victory over Houston but also shattered long‑standing records and vaulted Kurtz into baseball lore.
A Night for the Ages
Nick Kurtz’s extraordinary six‑hit night included homers in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings, plus a double and a single—culminating in 19 total bases, tying the MLB record set by Shawn Green in 2002.
He drove in eight runs and scored six, becoming the only player ever with at least six hits, four homers and eight RBIs in a single game, cementing this as one of the most dominant offensive performances ever.
Record‑Breaking Rookie
In just his 66th major league game, Kurtz joined the elite list of just 20 MLB players to ever hit four homers in one game—and made history as the first rookie to join that list. At 22, he is also the youngest player ever to achieve a four‑home‑run game, beating previous marks and rewriting rookie expectations. CBSSports.com
Game by Game Breakdown
In his first at‑bat, Kurtz singled. He then crushed a two‑run homer in the second off Ryan Gusto, followed by an RBI double in the fourth. He added solo shots in the sixth and eighth, and capped off his night with a three‑run homer off position player Cooper Hummel in the ninth—completing the ultimate statistical crescendo.
Each homer came from a different pitcher—Gusto, Hernandez, Ort, and finally Hummel—three to the opposite field and one blast into the second deck at 414 feet, off Ort, at an exit velocity of 113.8 mph.
A’s Dominate, Astros Falter
Oakland’s blowout victory was fueled by Kurtz’s heroics and strong pitching from Jeffrey Springs, who limited Houston to just two runs in six innings.
On the Astros’ side, starter Ryan Gusto was shelled for eight runs in 3⅓ innings, leading to a depleted bullpen and even a position player on the mound in the ninth—underscoring Houston’s ongoing roster struggles and injuries. Houston Chronicle
Heading 5: Rookie of the Year Contender
Drafted fourth overall out of Wake Forest in 2024, Kurtz debuted in April 2025 and wasted no time making an impact. Now slashing .305/.374/.686 with 23 home runs in 66 games and an OPS of 1.060, he leads rookies in virtually every offensive category and stands as the clear favorite for AL Rookie of the Year.
Oddsmakers agree: once listed as a longshot, his odds have tightened to –2000 on BetMGM, with quickly rising national attention to match.
What This Means for Baseball
Kurtz’s staggering performance adds to a rare, historic list: the 20th four‑homer game ever, and only the seventh in American League history, joining legends like Lou Gehrig and Jorge Soler. CBSSports
It also underscores the Athletics’ rebuild: a powerful symbol of why the franchise is committed to youth and development—and why Kurtz is a cornerstone for years to come.
Additional Context and Analysis
- Historical comparisons: Only Shawn Green (2002) had six hits and 19 total bases in a single game before Kurtz. Both he and Kurtz are the sole players with that exact statistical performance.
- Statistical surge: After a modest start, since mid‑May Kurtz has averaged over .350 with power surging—emerging as one of the hottest hitters in MLB leading up to this game.
- Rookie trajectory: With minimal minor‑league time, Kurtz made his debut in late April. Since then, his rapid rise has mirrored elite prospects, drawing comparisons to some of the most electrifying young sluggers in history.
Conclusion
This was no ordinary rookie debut—it was a historical moment. Nick Kurtz first rookie 4‑HR game reads like a baseball fever dream, but it’s real—and it’s a sign of what’s to come. As he continues lighting up stat sheets, he slowly becomes the face of the Athletics’ future and a marquee name in the AL West.
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