The Athletics had a dominating performance against the Cincinnati Reds, emerging with an 11-5 victory at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The highlight of the night was undeniably Nick Kurtz’s jaw-dropping 493-foot grand slam in the eighth inning, marking the longest home run in Major League Baseball this season.
Game Dynamics: A Tale of Two Halves
This match was the second in a series between these teams, and the Athletics showcased their strength by winning both. Starting pitcher Luis Severino (6-11) faced Hunter Greene (6-4) for the Reds. Cincinnati struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. Tyler Stephenson hit a two-out single, setting the stage for Will Benson, who sent a solo shot to center field that traveled 423 feet.
The Athletics quickly answered back. Brent Rooker, who has been a standout for the team, hit his 28th homer of the season to narrow the gap. Rookie sensation Carlos Cortes followed up with a clutch two-run hit, his third home run in just two games, allowing the Athletics to leap ahead 3-2.
Turning Points: Key Moments and Players
The momentum shifted further in the Athletics’ favor in the third inning. Following a single and a stolen base from Lawrence Butler, a walk by Shea Langeliers set up an opportunity. Butler scored on a wild pitch from Greene, who faced an exhausting outing. Jacob Wilson then stepped up, hitting a ground-rule double that ricocheted off Greene’s foot, driving in two more runs before Greene’s departure after 2 and 1/3 innings. He ended the day surrendering five runs on four hits and four walks, elevating his ERA from 2.59 to 3.01.
Cincinnati did manage to briefly tie the game at 5-5 thanks to a three-run homer from Tyler Stephenson in the middle innings. However, the Athletics restored their lead during the seventh and eighth innings, culminating in Kurtz’s explosive grand slam off Scott Barlow. This hit not only sealed the game for the Athletics but also eclipsed Mike Trout’s previous season-long record, further cementing Kurtz’s place among the season’s top players.
Kurtz’s Remarkable Season
Despite going 1-for-5 in this game, Kurtz has been on a remarkable streak, hitting five home runs, driving in 10 RBIs, and scoring 13 runs in his last 14 games. For the 2025 season, he boasts an impressive stat line, comprising 31 home runs, 78 RBIs, and a .298/.391/.622 batting average over 104 games. His contribution has been crucial to the team’s late-season charge.
Bullpen Performance: Athletics’ Relief Pitching
The Athletics’ bullpen, featuring relievers Elvis Alvarado and Hogan Harris, did a superb job in closing out the game. They combined to surrender just two hits and no runs over the final four innings, showcasing a stark contrast to the Reds’ relief pitching, which struggled significantly, allowing six runs on eight hits in 5 and 2/3 innings.
Implications for the Teams
After this game, the Reds fell to a .500 record of 74-74, now sitting 1.5 games back from the New York Mets for the last National League wild-card spot, with the San Francisco Giants trailing closely behind. The pressure is mounting as the season reaches its climax, and every game becomes critical in the race for October.
In conclusion, this game was a striking demonstration of the Athletics’ power, particularly highlighted by Kurtz’s record-breaking slam. The performance of both teams underscores the competitive nature of MLB as we head into the final stretch of the season, where playoff aspirations fuel every at-bat and pitch.
Image Source: Nick Kurtz @ Instagram
