Henry Bolte electrifies Athletics’ win with all-around performance in MLB debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Henry Bolte was the talk of the minor leagues last week as he posted a 12-for-12 stretch at the plate.

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The hot streak was the tipping point for the Athletics, as they made the decision to call up their No. 5 prospect to MLB on Tuesday.

While Bolte didn’t get the start in the series-opening 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, he finally saw his name on a major league lineup card Wednesday.

“This is what I’ve dreamt of since I was a little kid, so I’m just happy to be here,” Bolte told NBC Sports California’s Dallas Braden following the game. “This is unbelievable.”

Bolte’s dream played out in storybook fashion, as he stepped to the dish in the second inning and clubbed a ball past Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman for his first major league hit.

Bolte followed that up with another hit when he legged out an infield single to Gorman once again in the fourth inning.

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“Just trying to do something little to help the team win and being able to get on base, sac fly, drive someone in and make some plays in the outfield is what you can hope for,” Bolte told Braden.

Bolte wouldn’t add any more hits on the night, but he did earn a walk in the fifth and a sacrifice fly in the seventh to snag his first career RBI.

To go along with the offensive performance, Bolte also made a spectacular diving catch in centerfield for the A’s.

“I think he showed every skill he has in the bag, really, outside of the power,” manager Mark Kotsay told reporters following the win.

“For him to have this type of night, the at-bat, the walk, the sac fly, that’s as professional of an [at-bat] as you can take right there … overall, just a great night from the young man for his first game.”

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While Bolte’s spectacular debut was the headline tonight, A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz also played a huge role in the victory. He blasted his third career grand slam in the fifth inning to give the A’s a 4-1 lead, and the team would never look back.

Starting pitcher J.T. Ginn went six innings and allowed no earned runs on the night.

It was the second consecutive strong outing for Ginn, who, in his last two starts, has allowed one earned run over his last 14 innings.

The A’s have a chance to win the series tomorrow as they square off with the Cardinals for a rubber game.