MATT BARNES NEWS

Basketball-centric UConn proving it's also a baseball school

UConn baseball coach Jim Penders doesn’t mind working at a school where it's still snowing when the season starts and fans are more concerned about 3-pointers than 3-run homers

MAY 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Secures 11th save Barnes earned the save against the Phillies on Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he gave up a hit and a walk while striking out a pair.

Impact Barnes took the ball with a one-run lead in the ninth inning and allowed two of the first three batters he faced to reach base. However, the right-hander managed to get out of the jam by inducing a fielder's choice groundball off the bat of Bryce Harper and subsequently striking out Rhys Hoskins. Barnes is tied for third in baseball with 11 saves while posting a 2.42 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and superb 40:5 K:BB across 22.1 innings.

MAY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bogaerts, Santana homer, Red Sox top Phils for 4th in row

Xander Bogaerts and Danny Santana hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning, Matt Barnes retired Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins to strand the potential tying run in the ninth, a...

MAY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bounces back with save Barnes walked one and struck out three over one inning to earn the save in Thursday's 8-7 come-from-behind win over Toronto.

Impact The Red Sox were down two entering the top of the ninth, but they plated three and gave Barnes a chance to lock down his 10th save in 11 opportunities. He featured his best fastball of the season as measured by velocity, topping out at 98.7 mph and averaging 98.1. His average for the season is 95.8 mph.

MAY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

J.D. Martinez hits 2-run homer, Matt Barnes gets save: 12 observations after best Red Sox win of the year “We're not supposed to be here,” manager Alex Cora said. “Not too many people thought we were going to be in first place probably at all."

MAY 21, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Martinez's 2-run homer in 9th lifts Red Sox over Jays 8-7

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MAY 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Over the last decade, Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes has established himself as a dominant force - The Boston Globe As the last member of the franchise-changing draft class of 2011 — which included Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Travis Shaw — Barnes...

MAY 17, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Allows home run in ninth inning Barnes (1-1) allowed two runs on two hits and no walks while striking out two in 1.1 innings to take the loss and the blown save against the Angels on Sunday.

Impact Barnes got the last out in the eighth inning and recorded two outs to begin the ninth inning Sunday, but he gave up a single to Mike Trout before Shohei Ohtani blasted a go-ahead home run that proved to be the difference in the matchup. Barnes has converted on nine of his 10 save chances this year and has posted a 2.66 ERA and 0.54 WHIP in 20.1 innings.

MAY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Barnes: Shohei Ohtani 'Most Physically Gifted Baseball Player' Ever Boston Red Sox closer had high praise for Los Angeles Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani after his go-ahead homer.

MAY 16, 2021 • NESN.COM

Ohtani's 2-out, 2-run HR in 9th sends Angels over Bosox 6-5

Shohei Ohtani hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels rallied past the Boston Red Sox 6-5, ending a four-game losing streak

MAY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matt Barnes continues dominant start anchoring Red Sox bullpen - The Boston Globe Barnes has retired 23 of the last 24 batter he's faced

MAY 15, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Notes: Ottavino's resurgence; Barnes dealing BOSTON -- The bridge to closer Matt Barnes looks like it is finally getting sturdier. That’s because the key to the success of that bridge,...

MAY 15, 2021 • MLB.COM

Notches ninth save Barnes struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Angels.

Impact He fired 10 of 11 pitches for strikes while remaining perfect on the season on save chances. Barnes has been nothing short of outstanding to begin the season, posting a 1.89 ERA and 33:3 K:BB through 19 innings.

MAY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dalbec hits 2-run shot as Red Sox rally past Angels 4-3

Hunter Renfroe and Bobby Dalbec each hit a two-run homer, and the Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3

MAY 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Closer roundup: Matt Barnes is a stud, a few sleepers to consider, updated saves + holds rankings and more Greg Jewett surveys the closer landscape, offering a few sleepers for saves and updating his saves + holds ranks.

MAY 11, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Picks up eighth save Barnes struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Orioles on Sunday.

Impact Barnes hadn't pitched since Wednesday, but he remained effective Sunday to pick up his fifth save in his last seven appearances. The right-hander has posted a 2.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB in 18 innings across 17 outings to begin the year.

MAY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Devers, Renfroe HR, lead Pivetta, Red Sox past Orioles 4-3

Rafael Devers and Hunter Renfroe homered, Nick Pivetta won his third consecutive start and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-3

MAY 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tallies seventh save Barnes threw 1.2 innings without allowing a baserunner and struck out one to earn the save Tuesday against Detroit.

Impact Barnes entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning. He quickly escaped that jam, inducing a double play after just two pitches. Barnes then made quick work of the Tigers in the final frame to earn his seventh save of the season. He's been excellent for the vast majority of the campaign, maintaining a 2.25 ERA and 26:3 K:BB across 16 innings.

MAY 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox hit 4 homers, hold off reeling Tigers 11-7 at Fenway

Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer, Nick Pivetta struck out eight over five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the skidding Detroit Tigers 11-7

MAY 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Here’s why Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes was named Reliever of the Month in April Barnes recorded a 2.57 ERA with 25 strikeouts.

MAY 4, 2021 • BOSTON.COM

Barnes, Melancon named April's top relievers Red Sox right-hander Matt Barnes and Padres right-hander Mark Melancon have been named MLB’s Relievers of the Month for April. Barnes won AL...

MAY 3, 2021 • MLB.COM

Texas Rangers rally for 5-3 victory over Boston Red Sox

David Dahl and Brock Holt hit RBI singles in Texas’ three-run eighth, and the Rangers took advantage of a costly error on Alex Verdugo, topping the Boston Red Sox 5-3

MAY 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Converts sixth save Barnes struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn a save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Mets.

Impact Barnes needed only 12 pitches (nine strikes) to strike out Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith in order. The 30-year-old Barnes has picked up three saves in four days and now has six in 13 appearances this season. He's posted a 2.57 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB across 14 innings as the Red Sox's closer.

APRIL 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Vázquez helps Red Sox beat deGrom, slumping Mets 1-0

Christian Vázquez hit an early RBI double, producing the only run required for the Boston Red Sox to beat Jacob deGrom and the punchless New York Mets 1-0

APRIL 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Closer Matt Barnes ‘wholeheartedly’ embracing aggressive new philosophy Barnes's focus on working faster and attacking the strike zone is resulting in his best professional season so far.

APRIL 28, 2021 • BOSTON.COM