Hummel’s Historic MLB Debut: A Pitching Tale of Slugger Showdown

The Houston Astros found themselves on the wrong end of a night they’d probably rather forget. In a rough 15-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics, Cooper Hummel—normally an outfielder—ended up pitching, all while Nick Kurtz put on a show for the ages.

Kurtz, the Athletics’ first baseman, tied a Major League record with four home runs in one game. His power surge stood out against Hummel’s impromptu effort on the mound.

Nick Kurtz’s night was something special. He became just the 20th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game.

The way he did it made it even more impressive. Kurtz homered off four different Astros pitchers, showing off his ability to hit for power to every part of the field.

He didn’t stop there. Kurtz finished 6-for-6 at the plate, adding a single and a double to his tally, with home runs coming in the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and ninth innings.

It’s rare to see a player tie this kind of record. Pulling it off takes not just talent, but the right mix of timing and opportunity.

Kurtz faced a rotating cast of Houston pitchers and still found ways to connect. That adaptability hints at why he’s someone worth keeping an eye on.

On the flip side, Cooper Hummel’s night on the mound was more about necessity than strategy. The Astros were trying to save their bullpen in a game that was already out of hand.

Hummel started the night in left field but ended up pitching the ninth inning. He hadn’t pitched much before, so the odds weren’t exactly in his favor.

He gave up four runs, including Kurtz’s fourth homer, but managed to throw 13 of his 17 pitches for strikes. His fastball touched 83.6 mph, which, honestly, isn’t so bad for an outfielder.

Hummel’s done a bit of everything—outfield, catcher, and now, pitching. But the numbers don’t exactly flatter him on the mound.

His Minor League ERA sits at 27.00, and in the Majors, it’s 36.00. That’s a tough stat line, but you’ve got to respect the willingness to step up, even if the results aren’t pretty.

He did manage to get a swing-and-miss, which is something. But facing a locked-in hitter like Kurtz? That’s a tall order for anyone, let alone a position player pitching in a blowout.

It wasn’t Hummel’s night at the plate either—he went 0-for-4. In the ninth, he even came up to bat listed as the pitcher, which you don’t see every day, and flew out to end the inning.

Afterward, Hummel didn’t sugarcoat it. He admitted it was just a tough game all around for the Astros.

Baseball can turn on a dime, can’t it? One night you’re making history, the next you’re just trying to get through nine innings.

Kurtz’s record-tying performance puts him in rare company. His night is one of those stories that keeps baseball fans coming back, always hoping to see something wild and unexpected.

Whether you’re cheering for the Athletics or sticking with the Astros through the rough spots, this game had a little bit of everything. Perseverance, adaptability, and the kind of unpredictability that makes baseball, well, baseball.

Final Thoughts

Nick Kurtz and Cooper Hummel ended up at the center of one of baseball’s most memorable nights. Kurtz put on a jaw-dropping show, while Hummel faced a tough challenge and still stepped up for his team.

It’s these unpredictable moments that make baseball so captivating. Every pitch, every swing—sometimes, you just never know what’s coming next.

What’s next for these two? Maybe Kurtz’s wild night sparks a breakout season. Or maybe Hummel’s willingness to adapt gives him new chances to help Houston chase the playoffs.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Hummel’s 1st pitching appearance in Majors becomes historic thanks to A’s slugger