Nick Kurtz scored again, but that was just the beginning of Oakland’s fireworks display. It’s curious how it all came together.
Baseball has always been about moments that surprise, inspire, and sometimes even humble the teams and players involved. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Angel Stadium, the Los Angeles Angels learned that lesson the hard way in a blowout loss to the Oakland Athletics. The final score—17-4 in favor of Oakland—wasn’t just a lopsided result. It was a statement game, one that combined the power of a rookie sensation, the depth of a surging lineup, and the struggles of a pitching staff that couldn’t find any answers.
The night’s headline was simple: Nick Kurtz scored again. But what followed turned into a fireworks show that left fans, analysts, and even neutral observers shaking their heads in awe. This was more than just a win—it was a snapshot of what the future of Oakland baseball might look like, with Kurtz at the center of it all.
The Setting: Angel Stadium Under the Lights
Angel Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Angels, has seen its share of historic moments. On this particular night, however, it played host to an unraveling that no one in Anaheim wanted to witness. The crowd came expecting to see the Angels rebound from recent struggles. Instead, they watched as the Athletics turned the field into their personal launch pad.
From the very first inning, the tone was set. The Athletics wasted no time getting on the board, and by the end of nine innings, they had pounded out 21 hits and launched four home runs, sending a clear message to the rest of the league: this lineup is no joke.
Colby Thomas Sets the Stage
Every great fireworks show needs an opening spark. For Oakland, that came off the bat of Colby Thomas. In the very first inning, Thomas took Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi deep, sending a ball soaring into the left-field seats.
The home run didn’t just put the Athletics on the board early—it set the tone for everything that was about to follow. The Angels were on the back foot immediately, and the A’s smelled blood in the water.
| COLBY THOMAS: “We wanted to be aggressive right out of the gate. When you’re facing a veteran like Kikuchi, you can’t sit back. You’ve got to attack.” |
Nick Kurtz: The Rookie Who Won’t Stop Hitting
Then came the moment everyone has come to expect from Nick Kurtz. The 22-year-old rookie has been nothing short of sensational this season, and on this night, he added yet another chapter to his growing legend.
In the fourth inning, Kurtz unleashed a 447-foot home run—his 29th of the season. The ball left his bat with such force and traveled so far that the Angels outfielders didn’t even bother chasing it. The crowd gasped as the ball sailed into the upper deck, a reminder that this kid is no ordinary rookie.
But Kurtz wasn’t done there. He drew two walks in his first two at-bats, showing patience and discipline at the plate that’s rare for a player his age. He scored three runs in total, proving that his impact goes far beyond just the long ball.
| NICK KURTZ: “I’m just trying to help the team win. The home runs are great, but it’s about getting on base, keeping the line moving, and putting pressure on the other team.” |
Carlos Cortes and J.J. Bleday: Pinch-Hit Heroes
As if Kurtz and Thomas weren’t enough, the A’s showed off their depth in the later innings.
In the eighth inning, Carlos Cortes stepped up as a pinch-hitter and delivered a three-run homer that blew the game wide open. Just one inning later, J.J. Bleday followed with a pinch-hit three-run blast of his own, pouring salt in the wound and adding to the humiliation for the Angels’ pitching staff.
Pinch-hit home runs are rare enough, but to get two in back-to-back innings? That’s the definition of a fireworks display.
| MARK KOTSAY (Athletics Manager): “That’s the beauty of this lineup right now. It’s not just one guy. Everyone is contributing, and when you have pinch-hitters coming in and doing that kind of damage, it’s special.” |
A Night the Angels Want to Forget
For the Angels, this game was nothing short of a nightmare. Starter Yusei Kikuchi couldn’t contain the A’s bats, and the bullpen didn’t fare any better. By the time the game ended, the Angels had surrendered 17 runs, a number that speaks for itself.
The Angels’ offense managed only four runs in return, never really threatening to close the gap once Oakland’s bats got going. It was the kind of loss that can linger in the clubhouse, a reminder of how far the team still has to go to compete consistently.
| ANGELS FAN COMMENT (social media): “It felt like batting practice for Oakland. Every inning, it was like, here we go again. Painful to watch.” |
The Nick Kurtz Phenomenon
The story of the night—and of much of the Athletics’ season—remains Nick Kurtz. Drafted just last year, Kurtz has already become a cornerstone player for the franchise. His combination of power, patience, and maturity at the plate has turned him into a frontrunner for American League Rookie of the Year, and games like this only strengthen his case.
What makes Kurtz special isn’t just the home runs, though he hits plenty of those. It’s the way he carries himself on and off the field. He doesn’t chase bad pitches, he works counts, and he delivers in big moments. For a rookie, that’s rare air.
A’s Offensive Machine: More Than Just Kurtz
While Kurtz is the headline, the Athletics’ success on this night—and this season—goes far beyond one player. With contributions from Thomas, Cortes, Bleday, and others, the lineup has proven it can produce from top to bottom.
Oakland’s 21 hits against the Angels weren’t the result of luck. They were the product of a disciplined, aggressive approach at the plate. Each player came in with a plan, and collectively, they executed it to perfection.
The Bigger Picture: Oakland’s Rebuild Paying Off
Just a couple of seasons ago, the Athletics were seen as a team in transition, focused on developing young talent and weathering the storm of a competitive division. But now, with players like Kurtz leading the charge, the rebuild appears to be bearing fruit faster than expected.
This game against the Angels was more than just a win—it was a showcase of potential. It was a demonstration of what this young core is capable of when everything clicks.
Historical Context: Where Does This Game Rank?
Blowout wins happen in baseball, but a 17-4 result with 21 hits and four home runs is the kind of performance that sticks in the record books. For the Athletics, it will be remembered as one of the defining games of their 2025 campaign.
For the Angels, unfortunately, it joins a list of tough losses in a season where consistency has been hard to find.
Looking Ahead
For Oakland, the future looks bright. With Kurtz anchoring the lineup, and other young players stepping up, the A’s have the foundation for sustained success. If their pitching can match their offensive firepower, they could be a force in the American League sooner rather than later.
For the Angels, the loss underscores the need for adjustments. Whether it’s bolstering the rotation, improving bullpen depth, or finding ways to generate more consistent offense, the road ahead won’t be easy.
The Fireworks Show That Defined a Night
At the end of the day, this game will be remembered for the spectacle it provided. Nick Kurtz’s 447-foot bomb was the headline, but the true story was the collective offensive eruption of the Oakland Athletics.
From Thomas’s first-inning shot to the back-to-back pinch-hit homers by Cortes and Bleday, it was a night when everything came together for Oakland. The Angels could only watch as their stadium turned into the backdrop for one of the most explosive performances of the season.
And while the Angels will look to move on quickly, the A’s—and their fans—will savor this one. Because nights like this don’t just happen by accident. They’re the product of talent, preparation, and a little bit of baseball magic.
