Still buzzing from a walk-off, 447-foot home run by rookie Nick Kurtz, the Athletics hoped to keep up the excitement tonight against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. JP Sears faced off against former A’s hurler Jason Alexander.

Nick Kurtz’s first hit came in his first at-bat. His first home run came in his 16th game. Another memorable milestone happened late Monday night.

Nick Kurtz is expected to become one of the linchpins of the Athletics by the time the franchise moves to Las Vegas, anticipated for the 2028 season.

Mainly, Kurtz has some of the best bat speed in the league. His 77.8 mph average bat speed only trails Oneil Cruz and Junior Caminero. He also has the highest rate of swings faster than 75 mph (known as ‘fast swing rate’) for players who’ve taken at least 100 swings. That is nutty raw power.

Astros first. Jeremy Pena walks. Isaac Paredes walks. Jeremy Pena to second. Jose Altuve flies out to center field to Lawrence Butler. Yainer Diaz flies out to right field to Lawrence

Nick Kurtz wasn’t having a great road trip, at least until Sunday rolled around. Matched against Royals closer Carlos Estévez in the ninth inning of a tie game, Kurtz delivered in the clutch with a so

Royals third. Kyle Isbel doubles to shallow right field. Maikel Garcia out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Jeffrey Springs to Nick Kurtz. Kyle Isbel to third. Bobby Witt doubles to deep