WEST SACRAMENTO -- Before the Athletics wrapped up their season series against the Astros on Thursday afternoon, Nick Kurtz capped it off with one more explosive performance.

On a day mostly dominated by the Astros to avoid a three-game sweep, it was Kurtz, who has tormented Houston so often this season, that delivered the loudest swings of the game in the A’s 11-5 loss at Sutter Health Park. The 22-year-old first baseman mashed a pair of home runs as part of a three-hit effort, bringing his season total to 35 in what continues to be one of the most impressive rookie seasons by any player in MLB history .

“The kid really is unfazed by the acknowledgement of how we expect him to play or how everyone expects him to perform,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “It’s pretty remarkable what he’s

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