Phil Klein Named Rangers Reliever of the Month

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced Thursday that former Round Rock Express relief pitcher Phil Klein has been named the organization's Minor League Reliever of the Month for July.

Klein, who joined Round Rock at the end of June, recorded 17.1 scoreless innings over eight relief appearances with the Express in July. The 6'7" right-hander recorded multiple strikeouts in all eight outings last month, striking out 26 batters in all before his promotion to the Rangers on August 1.

Prior to receiving his first career big league call-up, Klein had a 35.0-inning scoreless streak in the minors dating back to May 13. In 51.2 total innings pitched in the minors this season, he did not allow a single extra-base hit.

The 25-year old Ohioan began the season with Double-A Frisco where he was recognized as the organization's top reliever in May after posting six saves, a 0.71 ERA (1 ER/12.2 IP) and 14 strikeouts with the RoughRiders. 

Klein was selected by Texas in the 30th round of the 2011 first-year player draft out of Youngstown State University. In four years at YSU, he struck out 258 over 252.0 innings pitched.

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