Rangers want to avoid multiple innings for Scheppers

OAKLAND -- Tanner Scheppers earned his third win of the season on Tuesday night by pitching two scoreless innings in the Rangers 6-5 victory over the Athletics. Manager Ron Washington said on Wednesday he still wants to stay away from using Scheppers more than one inning at a time.

"We certainly needed two innings out of him last night," Washington said. "Thank God it was a cool night so he was able to stay strong and go back out there. But we don't like using him in multiple innings."

Scheppers has appeared in 17 games for the Rangers, and he has pitched more than one inning in just five of those appearances. Only three times has he pitched two complete innings.

"We'd like to use him just one inning so we have him the next day," Washington said. "Sometimes you have to push the envelope, and last night was one of those nights. Our intention is to use him for just one inning. We haven't discussed plans for constantly pitching him in multiple innings."

Scheppers has emerged as the Rangers No. 1 right-handed setup reliever. He entered Wednesday's game with a 0.45 ERA, having allowed just one run in 20 innings. He is also one of three American League relievers with three wins.