Nick Kurtz vs. Astros becomes first MLB rookie to hit four home runs in a game

HOUSTON — The Astros made it into the record books on Friday against the Athletics. But it probably wasn’t the kind of baseball history they wanted to make.

First the score. Houston was routed by the Athletics, 15-3. Most of that offense came from rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz.

Kurtz, 22, was 6 for 6 against Astros pitching in the blowout. Four of those hits left the yard, making him the first rookie in Major League history to hit four home runs in a single game. He’s also only the 20th player in MLB history to ever hit four home runs in one game. No player has hit five.

And it wasn’t just one pitcher Kurtz roughed up. Each home run Kurtz hit was off a different Astro on the hill. Kurtz went deep off starter Ryan Gusto, then he left the yard against relievers Nick Hernandez and