Barnes struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Alex Cora has maintained faith that Barnes would turn things around, and that faith was rewarded for at least one afternoon as Barnes picked up his first save since April 22. The right-hander threw only three fastballs among his 15 pitches though, topping out at 95.8 mph, and he produced only one swinging strike -- numbers which don't hint at a return to the dominance he flashed in the first half last year. Nonetheless, no one else has stepped up and seized Boston's closer role, so if Barnes can string together a few good appearances, the job could be his once again.

Barnes (0-3) was tagged with Saturday's loss, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits with one strikeout in the 10th inning of a loss to the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

After the Red Sox blew yet another save in the ninth inning -- the bullpen has converted just 5-of-14 save opportunities -- Barnes was brought in for the 10th inning. He permitted hard contact on two consecutive hits, which produced both runs, and another hard-hit groundout before getting through the inning. Earlier in the day, the right-hander told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com that his velocity returned (95.2 mph, up from season average of 93.8) during a one-inning stint Friday following a mechanical tweak and claimed it was the best he felt in six months. One day later, his five four-seamers averaged 93.9 mph.

Barnes (0-2) was tagged with the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning in a 10-5 defeat to the Angels in 10 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes entered to start the 10th inning and retired the first two batters before Taylor Ward took him deep. A Mike Trout single and Shohei Ohtani walk ensued and Barnes was removed, but those runs came across to score with Hirokazu Sawamura on the mound. In all, Boston relievers allowed seven runs (two home runs) over the final two innings and blew their league-leading fifth save. Barnes' ERA climbed to 8.64 this season, and he has a 6.92 ERA since he signed an extension with the club in 2021.

Barnes allowed one run on two hits in the eighth inning of Saturday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes entered to pitch the eighth after seven dominant innings from starter Nathan Eovaldi and got two quick outs. However, Cedric Mullins blooped a double, which was followed by a Anthony Santander run-scoring single. While Saturday's outcome can be attributed to bad luck -- Mullins' double had an 83.1 mph exit velocity -- Barnes has been unreliable thus far. He has a 5.87 ERA with four walks (1.2 K/BB) over 7.2 innings.

Barnes earned the save, tossing 0.1 innings in a 4-3 win Friday in Tampa.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was not called upon to start the ninth inning with the Red Sox winning 4-3 but came in with two outs and the bases loaded. He got Wander Franco to hit a hard ground ball and Trevor Story made an excellent play to record the final out. The righty served as Boston's closer for much of last year before losing his job near the end of the season. He had not appeared in any high-leverage situations in his first four appearances but managed to get the job done Friday.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora wants Barnes to be the closer and believes the pitcher is close to being able to fill the role, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "I've been saying all along, for me, if Matty (Barnes) gets to where we want to and we do believe he's very close, it will be great for him to get that ninth inning because he can get lefties and righties out," Cora said.

EDGE Analysis

Cora has managed with a closer-by-committee for now, but he prefers the structure of set roles. Three relievers -- Jake Diekman, Hansel Robles and Garrett Whitlock -- have recorded saves thus far. Barnes made his fourth appearance of the season Wednesday, allowing a run on one hit and a wild pitch while striking out one. He's allowed three runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over four innings.

Barnes allowed two runs on one hit, two walks and a hit batsman in Friday's 8-4 loss to Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox struggled against Minnesota pitching but finally cracked the code during a three-run eighth inning that closed the gap to 6-4. Barnes, who had two encouraging appearances in low-leverage spots earlier in the week, was brought on to keep the Twins in check for a potential ninth-inning comeback. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the strike zone, walking two straight and hitting a batter, leading to two runs. This had the appearance of manager Alex Cora testing Barnes as a ninth-inning guy, but it was not a closer-like performance.

Barnes struck out one and did not allowed a baserunner over a scoreless relief inning in Wednesday's 9-7 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes, who entered to pitch the sixth inning with Boston up 7-2, made his second appearance of the season and pitched the sixth in both. He set down the side on 14 pitches, and more notably, Barnes sustained his velocity, averaging 94.3 mph on five four-seamers. While Boston's closer situation remains unsettled, this could be a situation where manager Alex Cora is building up the right-hander's confidence in low-leverage spots before moving him into a more tense role.

Barnes allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless sixth inning in Monday's 3-1 loss to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes made his season debut after missing the opening series against the Yankees with tightness in his back. He worked around a Miguel Cabrera double and punctuated the outing with an inning-ending strike out of Jonathan Schoop. The right-hander's fastball, which lived in the 92-93 mph range during spring training, maxed out at 95.3 and averaged 94 mph.

Barnes (back) is available to pitch Monday against the Tigers, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes hurt his back in a workout Thursday and was unavailable during Boston's season-opening series against the Yankees, but he'll be available to begin the team's series in Detroit. Jake Diekman picked up the save in Sunday's win over the Yankees, but Barnes is a strong candidate for ninth-inning work now that he's available.