OAKLAND, Calif. - The Rangers did not need newly appointed closer Sam Dyson in his first day on the job Wednesday.
They dropped behind early and did not challenge in an 8-1 loss to Oakland at the Coliseum. The Athletics swept the three-game series.
Dyson never budged from his spot in the bullpen. That will change the next time the Rangers take a lead into the ninth inning.
He's the closer now, replacing the struggling Shawn Tolleson.
Dyson has done well in his role of getting leads through the seventh and eighth innings. Having to get the final out brings a whole new level of scrutiny.
"It's a little different," Dyson said. "In the ninth inning, you're like one guy on the island. There's nobody coming in to save the day behind you.
"There's more pressure, but you treat it the same as any other inning."
Manager Jeff Banister made the switch after considering the fallout from a stunning 8-5 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday night.
The Rangers went ahead in the ninth inning on a two-run homer by Ian Desmond, but Tolleson gave it up on a two-out grand slam by Khris Davis. The Rangers have six losses in an opponents' last swing.
It was Tolleson's third blown save in his last four chances. He leads the majors in blown saves with four. In his debut as a closer, Tolleson had 35 saves in 37 chances last season.
"It's a decision we needed to make," Banister said. "We'll move forward. It's about winning games. It's not about feelings.
"We have a club that can do something different every single night to win. You've got to be able to close those games out. That's where this year, it's been a challenge for us."
Tolleson knew what was coming when he went into a morning meeting with Banister. Tolleson accepted the move and vowed to work his way back into a significant bullpen role.
"It wasn't anything that surprised me," Tolleson said. "More than anything else, I want this team to win games. I want to go out there in the ninth, but when you're not getting the job done ..."
Banister will give Tolleson time to step back and regroup, as slumping hitters do. If Tolleson is to return to a prominent role in the bullpen, he needs better fastball command and more confidence in the change-up.
The change-up was a good pitch for Tolleson last year, but he has not had a feel for it this season. That helps explain why he threw all fastballs to Davis.
A year ago, opponents hit .239 with a .388 slugging percentage against Tolleson. They are up to .343 with a .642 slugging percentage this season.
"I'm mature enough to realize a lot of good can come out of a situation like this," Tolleson said. "You have to put a positive spin on anything in this game."
Banister acknowledged rookie Matt Bush has "earned continued looks in different spots" but prefers to take advantage of his ability to work more than one inning. The same applies to Anthony Barnette and Jake Diekman, who will get more eighth-inning work.
"I still believe in this bullpen," Banister said. "I still believe in all the players in our bullpen."
Tolleson's regression is the latest setback for the bullpen. Expected to be a team strength, the bullpen has been a trouble spot.
The bullpen is 9-11 with a 5.47 ERA, second highest in the majors. Three pitchers expected to play vital late-game roles are no longer in that spot. Keone Kela underwent elbow surgery. Tom Wilhelmsen, shipped to the minors, and Tolleson have been ineffective. Time for Plan B.
Twitter: @gfraley
