Tolleson, Rangers let one get away

OAKLAND — This one hit the Rangers hard, especially closer Shawn Tolleson.

“It has been really tough,” Tolleson said after giving up a two-out grand slam by Khris Davis in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Athletics an 8-5 victory at the Coliseum on Tuesday night.

It was Tolleson’s fourth blown save of the season. He only had two last season.

“I don’t think I have had a slump like this in my career,” Tolleson said. “It’s frustrating. Our guys battled all game long and I gave up a big home run. They are counting on me to get three outs and I didn’t get it done.”

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The Rangers had taken a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth on a two-out, two-run home run by Ian Desmond.

“That’s not a ballgame you want to lose,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

Tolleson has allowed seven runs on three home runs in his last two outings. He has a 9.20 ERA on the season and opponents are hitting .343 off him. It was about this time last season that Banister pulled Neftali Feliz out of the closer’s role and went with Tolleson.

He was outstanding in the role but now Banister is once again …

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