Star first baseman Nick Kurtz will look to make franchise history Monday night when the Athletics begin a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at West Sacramento, Calif.
Kurtz, 23, has reached base in 47 consecutive games, one short of the single-season franchise record held by Mark McGwire (1996). Kurtz is tied with Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx (1932) for the second-best streak.
Kurtz reached base three times on two singles and a walk during Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. He is batting .290, and his on-base percentage of .448 is the best in the majors.
Kurtz also is closing in on the franchise’s overall longest on-base streak of 62 games, also held by McGwire (1995-96). McGwire reached base in the final 14 games of the 1995 season prior to his single-season record of 48 straight to start 1996.
Legendary Rickey Henderson reached base in 46 straight games over multiple seasons (1980-81). Passing perhaps the best leadoff hitter in big league history on Sunday was surreal to Kurtz.
“When you’re in a conversation with Rickey, it’s pretty cool,” Kurtz said. “He’s such a legend here in the A’s organization. Being in something with him is pretty awesome. … It’s been cool to be consistent and help this ballclub win some games.”
While the Athletics lead the American League West, the Mariners are 25-29 one-third of the way through the season.
Seattle reached the AL Championship Series last season before losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games.
But this season, the Mariners have foundered and have dropped six of their past nine games, including losing 8-6 to the host Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
“This is baseball at times,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “We do feel like we have to weather the storm and get through it to where we can get to consistent baseball.”
Top prospect Colt Emerson, 20, was a bright spot on Sunday by going 4-for-4 with an RBI single in just his seventh MLB game. He had three doubles and one single while becoming the third different Seattle age 20-and-under player to get four hits in a game.
The others are Ken Griffey Jr. (four times) and Alex Rodriguez (three).
Emerson was relieved after going 2-for-17 through his first six big league contests.
“The first few days were pretty quick and super exciting,” Emerson said Sunday. “The last three in this series, I’ve kind of settled in, and it has been real baseball to me. It’s just good to be in this clubhouse. … It’s pretty easy to play when you have guys like this who have your back.”
Seattle right-hander Luis Castillo (1-5, 6.41 ERA) will start against the Athletics for the second time this season. He received a no-decision on April 21 when he allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. The visiting A’s won 5-2.
Castillo is 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in seven career starts against the A’s. Jeff McNeil is 8-for-15 with three homers and two doubles against him, while Kurtz is 1-for-5 with a walk.
Castillo, 33, pitched in relief for the first time this season on Tuesday and took the loss against the Chicago White Sox. He gave up two runs and one hit over 2 1/3 innings in the 2-1 defeat.
Right-hander Aaron Civale (5-1, 3.31 ERA) will start for the Athletics on Monday. He took a no-decision in Seattle on April 22 when he allowed three runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings in the A’s 5-4 defeat.
Civale is 2-3 with a 4.09 ERA in seven career starts against the Mariners. Mitch Garver (2-for-9) has homered twice against him.
Civale received a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. He served up a season-worst three homers and gave up five runs and five hits over five innings in the Athletics’ 6-5 win in 10 innings.
–Field Level Media
