ARLINGTON -- Right-hander Jose Leclerc is carving out a new role in the Rangers' bullpen: inherited-runner specialist.

Leclerc performed his rescue act again on Wednesday night during an 8-2 win against Oakland at Globe Life Park. He entered in the eighth inning with two runners on and none out and prevented the Athletics from scoring. The inning ended when right fielder Nomar Mazara threw out Khris Davis at the plate.

Leclerc has allowed only one of 23 inherited runners to score for a 95.7 percent prevention rate. He is second in the majors to San Diego's Brad Hand, who had kept all 15 inherited runners from scoring.

"I like it," Leclerc said of entering with runners on base. "I'm not afraid of it."

Manager Jeff Banister said he is comfortable using left-hander Alex Claudio, right-hander Tony Barnette and Leclerc with runners on base. The other relievers can handle the role but are better suited to starting an inning, Banister said.

Leclerc has been successful in the role because of his swing-and-miss stuff. Leclerc began play with the fifth-highest swing-and-miss rate among major league relievers with 20-plus innings at 39.6 percent. Milwaukee's Josh Hader led at 46.4 percent.

"He's been really good at is, so there is a comfort zone," Banister said.