HOUSTON — Already a triple shy of the cycle through four innings and the Athletics holding a six-run lead on Friday night at Daikin Park, Nick Kurtz knew he would get at least a couple more opportunities to complete the 18th cycle in team history and first since Mark Ellis in 2007.

“We had a good lead,” Kurtz said. “So, I pretty much told [third-base coach Eric Martins] that, if I hit the gap, I’m going for three.”

With two triples on the year, Kurtz runs better than his 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame might let on, making a three-bagger well within reach. The problem was, he couldn’t keep the ball in the yard.

Kurtz went up to the plate in the sixth and hit his second homer of the night. Then came his third long ball in the eighth. Receiving an unlikely extra chance in the ninth, you guessed it, he homered again.

Forget the cycle that was on his mind. Kurtz went out and did something even rarer in a

15-3 blowout win over the Astros. Going a perfect 6-for-6 with four home runs, Kurtz became the first rookie in MLB history with a four-homer game, and the 20th player overall.

With 19 total bases, he also tied Shawn Green in 2002 for the most in a game all time, per the Elias Sports Bureau.