The Oakland Athletics edged the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Wednesday, capped by Lawrence Butler’s thrilling walk-off single. Rookie Nick Kurtz also made history, joining Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire as the only Athletics rookies to hit 30 home runs.
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Rising Stars
Kurtz, Butler power A’s past Red Sox 5-4
Photo by Wcvb
Key Takeaways:
- Nick Kurtz became only the third Athletics rookie to reach 30 home runs
- Lawrence Butler clinched the victory with a walk-off single in the ninth inning
- The A’s triumphed 5-4, marking a tense, narrow victory
- Aroldis Chapman’s seven-week hitless streak came to an end
- The story was published on 2025-09-10 by WCVB
Game Recap
The Oakland Athletics staged a dramatic ending to secure a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. Lawrence Butler emerged as the hero, delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning that sent the hometown fans into a frenzy. The narrow margin underscored the pitched battle between two determined rosters.
Kurtz’s Return to the Record Books
Rookie slugger Nick Kurtz added another chapter to his breakout season. His 30th home run, blasted earlier in the game, made him only the third Athletics rookie to achieve that milestone, joining the legendary Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. This swing further established Kurtz as one of baseball’s rising talents and kept the A’s within striking distance late in the contest.
Butler’s Moment of Glory
When the Athletics needed a spark in the final frame, Butler stepped up. Facing pressure in the ninth inning, he connected on a pitch that slipped past the Red Sox defense, bringing home the decisive run. The jubilant reaction on the field and in the stands confirmed that the young outfielder had etched his name into the A’s highlight reel for the season.
Chapman’s Streak Broken
Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman entered the game with a dominant seven-week stretch, allowing virtually no hits during that span. However, this matchup proved to be his undoing, as both Kurtz’s home-run heroics and Butler’s walk-off single combined to snap Chapman’s remarkable streak.
Key Game Stats
| Team | Runs |
|---|---|
| Athletics | 5 |
| Red Sox | 4 |
Looking Ahead
With this tense victory under their belts, the Athletics have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the future. Their rookies, exemplified by Kurtz and Butler, have quickly become key contributors, making Wednesday night’s game both a milestone event and a signal that this Oakland squad is more than ready to face intense competition.
