HOUSTON (July 25) \u2014 Longtime Major League Baseball general manager Roland Hemond was known for saying that any time you attend a baseball game, you may see something that has never happened before. For the writers, broadcasters, players, staff, and 37,700 spectators in attendance at Daikin Park for Friday\u2019s game between the Athletics<\/a> and the Houston Astros<\/a>, that was a true statement. Athletics rookie slugger Nick Kurtz<\/strong><\/a> did something in the Athletics\u2019 15\u20133 victory that no one else has ever done in the 149-year history of Major League Baseball \u2014 6-for-6, six runs scored, four homers, and eight RBI all in the same game.<\/p>\n Sure, there have been 6-for-6 games before \u2014 80 times, in fact. There have been 19 other four-homer games, including one on April 26 of this year (Eugenio Suarez<\/a><\/strong>), albeit none by a rookie. Eight RBI in a game has happened over 160 times, and eight isn\u2019t even the single-game record. 12 is. And Friday was the ninth time a player scored six runs in a game. We have even seen a player go 6-for-6 with four homers one other time \u2014 Shawn Green<\/a><\/strong> of the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> on May 23, 2002, which is also the only other time we\u2019ve ever seen a player notch 19 total bases. But Green had seven RBI, not eight.<\/p>\n It was a night that was difficult to put into words. Manager Mark Kotsay<\/a><\/strong> tried to describe what he had just seen. Through laughs of disbelief, he said, \u201cI don\u2019t really know how to describe that one. It\u2019s arguably the best game I\u2019ve ever watched from a single player.\u201d Kotsay added that he saw Barry Bonds<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 73-homer season in 2001, noting that he was in center field for it. He also noted Shawn Green, a good friend of his. But his focus was on Kurtz. \u201cThis kid continues to have jaw-dropping moments. And to witness that tonight was pretty special for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018No words\u2019 is the best way to put it,\u201d Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs<\/a><\/strong>, who started for the Athletics Friday night, said when asked how to describe Kurtz\u2019 performance. \u201cIt’s unbelievable to be as locked in as he is. There doesn’t seem to be any holes.\u201d Springs mentioned how the Astros tried to work him over the outer part of the plate, only for him to hit two homers to the opposite field. Springs added, \u201cThey try to come up and in with 97 (mph), and then he turns on it. It’s unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnbelievable\u201d was the first word shortstop Jacob Wilson<\/a><\/strong> used to describe Kurtz\u2019 performance. \u201cThat\u2019s, obviously, the greatest offensive performance I\u2019ve ever seen. I think it\u2019s up there for one of the best the game<\/em> has ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n Kurtz looked as if he was in a dream-like haze when asked what was crossing his mind after the game he had. \u201cIt still really hasn’t set in that it actually just happened. A game like that is stuff that you don’t even dream about, because it doesn’t really happen. So it’s an unbelievable feeling. Glad we got the win, obviously, and to have that performance was awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n Outfielder and clubhouse leader Lawrence Butler<\/a><\/strong> came up with three words for Kurtz\u2019s magical night. \u201cGreatest performance ever,\u201d he grinned. \u201cThat was a Road to the Show game. On rookie. With sliders up. It was insane. It was insane.\u201d Butler was referring to the career mode on the popular video game franchise MLB The Show<\/em>.<\/p>\n When asked what it was like in the dugout both when Kurtz was batting for the sixth time and after he hit the last homer, he said, \u201cWe (Kurtz\u2019s teammates) were all probably feeling the same thing. He was just feeling shocked. I didn\u2019t really know what to do with myself but give him a hug. It was an insane performance.\u201d<\/p>\n Springs, with a grin, summed up what everyone on the Athletics pitching staff must be feeling: \u201cI\u2019m glad he\u2019s on our team.\u201d<\/p>\n Here is a bullet-point summary of Kurtz\u2019s legendary performance Friday:<\/p>\nWhat Did We Just See?<\/h4>\n
Three Words from Law<\/h4>\n
By the Numbers<\/h4>\n
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The At-bats<\/h4>\n
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Main Photo:<\/h4>\n