CLEVELAND -- When rookie starting pitcher Phil Klein was bounced in the third inning of Monday's eventual 10-8 Texas win after allowing seven runs, he handed the ball off to lefty Alex Claudio.
Claudio had never recorded more than five outs in a Major League relief appearance. He wound up throwing 3 1/3 innings, tossing 61 pitches in the process. If you would have asked Rangers manager Jeff Banister before the game, he'd have told you Claudio's pitch limit was around 30.
"Our offense played well today, but really it was the bullpen that stepped up big for us today," Banister said.