Seattle shut out the Oakland Athletics 4-1 Tuesday, handing first baseman Nick Kurtz his first winless outing in 48-game streak. Kurtz went 0-for-4, striking out three, including a final at‑bat strikeout against reliever Gabe Speier. The loss snapped a streak that tied Mark McGwire’s 1996 record and was the longest in the majors since Shin‑Soo Choo’s 52‑game run in 2018.

Despite the slump, Kurtz leads MLB with a .437 on‑base percentage and 52 walks this season. He is batting .270 with eight homers and 37 RBIs, numbers that keep Oakland in contention for a wild‑card spot. His plate discipline remains a rare asset in a league where strikeouts dominate. The streak’s end removes a offensive catalyst, forcing the A’s to rely on bullpen consistency and potential.

Baseball historians note the all‑time mark remains Ted Williams’ 84‑game streak from 1949, a benchmark Kurtz now trails by 36 games. The loss dropped Oakland to a 27-31 record, three games behind the AL West leader. Oakland must find production elsewhere to stay afloat in the short term as the team scrambles for runs this season.