HOUSTON, Texas — In a game that will be remembered for generations, rookie Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics shone brightly on the diamond, achieving what no other first-year player has done in Major League Baseball history. With a cheering crowd that included his family, Kurtz stepped up to the plate for his last at-bat of the night, fully aware that he had a chance to make history—but he maintained his focus on simply making contact.

With a position player pitching for the Houston Astros, Kurtz, 22, did more than avoid embarrassment. He sent a 77 mph fastball from outfielder Cooper Hummel flying into the left-field seats, marking his fourth home run of the evening. The impressive feat capped off a night filled with extraordinary performance, confirming his status as one of the most promising rookies in the game.

“I’m just trying to move the ball forward,” Kurtz said, reflecting on his mindset during such an unusual situation. “You don’t want to be the guy who strikes out.”

In a breathtaking performance, Kurtz went 6-for-6, hitting home runs in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings. He matched the MLB record for total bases in a single game, accumulating 19, and became the first rookie to ever hit four home runs in one game.

“It’s arguably the best game I’ve ever watched from a single player,” said Athletics manager Mark Kotsay. “This kid continues to have jaw-dropping moments.”

Among Kurtz’s hits, he also managed a double and a single, further enhancing his historic night and solidifying his place in the record books alongside legendary players like Shawn Green, who had a similar performance with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002.

Teammates marveled at Kurtz’s performance. “Everybody was just like, laughing,” said A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson. “How is he doing it? This is not normal. He’s playing a different sport than us right now.”

Kurtz’s four-homer game was just the 20th in MLB history. His eight RBIs and six runs scored contributed significantly to the Athletics’ dominant 15-3 win over the Astros, showcasing the rookie’s extraordinary skills.

This game had added significance for Kurtz, as both his parents and godparents were there to witness his remarkable achievement. “This is the first time my godparents have been here,” he said. “It was cool to have some family here for that.”

Having been drafted fourth overall last year from Wake Forest, Kurtz made his major league debut on April 23 and quickly established himself as a force, hitting 23 homers in just 66 games this season. At 22, he became the youngest player ever to have a four-homer game, surpassing Pat Seerey, who accomplished the feat at the age of 25 in 1948.

Kurtz demonstrated his power against all four of the Astros’ pitchers throughout the game, including a long 414-foot home run off Kaleb Ort in the eighth inning. His fourth and final homer landed deep in the Crawford Boxes at Daikin Park, a location that will now be etched in baseball history.

After the game, Kurtz reflected on the surreal experience, saying, “It still feels like a dream. I’m kind of speechless. Don’t really know what to say.”

As July draws to a close, Kurtz stands out as the best hitter in the league for the month, leading in several categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, and total runs. He saved the baseballs from his last two homers, storing them as cherished mementos of a transformative night in his burgeoning career.

As Kurtz prepares for the rest of the season, the baseball world will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the young star’s journey, eager to see what other milestones await him.