Matt Barnes after being pulled from the game. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Big picture, Matt Barnes is having a career-year in his fifth MLB season. The Red Sox reliever has a 3.51 ERA over 56 appearances spanning 56-and-a-third innings, and he's struck out 14 batters per nine innings.
The smaller picture's been ugly for Barnes.
The righty's given up 10 runs--including four homers--his last eight-and-a-third frames for a 10.80 ERA. That's in nine outings. Barnes' manager Alex Cora expects better.
"He knows it, he knows that he needs to execute," Cora said. "He's a guy that, he's been great for us all season, being able to throw that fastball up in the zone and spin that breaking ball down in the zone. He hasn't done it lately, but we trust the guy, he's been great for us. Hopefully he gets it sooner rather than later."
Barnes isn't alone.
Craig Kimbrel has a 5.56 ERA his last 11 games, with three blown saves.
Heath Hembree--7.36 ERA in 10 chances this month, but eight runs allowed despite six earned.
Brandon Workman's given up runs in two of his last four outings. Tyler Thornburg--two out of three.
Fortunately, Joe Kelly hasn't surrendered a run his last six appearances, and Ryan Brasier's flawless his last nine innings.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports