21 Sep 2014

Holdzkom claims first MLB win

1:29 pm on 21 September 2014

The New Zealand baseballer John Holdzkom has scored his first win as a Major League pitcher, after helping the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher John Holdzkom of New Zealand in action. 2014.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher John Holdzkom of New Zealand in action. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The win keeps the Pirates in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The former New Zealand baseball player made his American Major League debut for Pittsburgh earlier this season.

The American-born Holdzkom, who has a New Zealand-born father, pitched an innings and picked up three strikeouts in the Pirates 6-4 loss to the St Louis Cardinals in his maiden game.

The tall fast-ball pitcher, who played for New Zealand in 2012, was only added to the Pirates squad after playing much of the year in an independent league.

The 26-year-old says pitching in a big league stadium is every pitcher's dream.

Holdzkom says he tried to tell himself that it's no different than any other game.

The Pirates are currently still in the hunt for a wildcard spot in the playoffs.