Barnes continues to struggle away from Fenway as Sox let one get away late

CLEVELAND — Some days, the Red Sox’ bullpen operates like a machine, moving with efficiency to record the final last few outs of a game.

Sunday at Fenway was a perfect example of the team’s best relievers pitching at the highest level, with the baton passed as arguably the team’s three best relievers each secured an inning.

Monday night was something altogether different.

Leading by a run with six outs to go, the Boston bullpen first frittered away the lead in the eighth and then the game in the ninth, resulting in a stinging 5-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Matt Barnes, whose struggles away from Fenway have been well documented, walked the first batter he faced in the eighth and allowed a base hit to the second. The leadoff man, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, scored to tie the game at 4-4.

In the ninth, Brandon Workman yielded a leadoff double, and when Brock Holt fumbled a sacrifice bunt and threw wildly past third base, the Indians had themselves a walk-off win as Brandon Guyer scored all the way from second.

“Addison Reed was not available tonight and I was trying to stay away from Workman as well,’’ said John Farrell, “given the workload in the previous series, the stress that they threw in the New York series. So, went to Barnes in the eighth and it didn’t work out.’’

Heading into Monday night, Barnes had compiled an impressive 1.95 at home, and a garish 5.20 ERA on the road.  Moreover, Barnes had issued just eight walks in 32.1 innings at Fenway, but 18 walks in 27.2 innings away from home.

Sure enough, Barnes put the first hitter he faced, Lindor, on with a base on balls, inviting trouble.

“It comes down to the leadoff walks in many cases,’’ said Farrell. “In close ballgames, that’s the one thing that stands out the most. But on a night when not everyone was available, he’s the guy who’s had the most experience in the eighth inning against both lefties and righties.

“I’m well aware of the home-road splits (with Barnes). But if use (closer Craig) Kimbrel, he’s probably got the need for one if not two days off. So, that’s why you need the contributions from everyone.’’

On this night, however, there seemed no good high leverage options. Heath Hembree, in relief of Barnes, fanned Jose Ramirez, but was tagged for a game-tying single by Edwin Encarnacion.

What appeared ready to be a tone-setting victory – thanks to two-run homers from Andrew Benintendi and Hanley Ramriez and nearly six strong innings from starter Eduardo Rodriguez – instead was fumbled into a dispiriting defeat.

Barnes remains unsure why his performance at home has been so drastically different than in games on the road.

“I don’t know,’’ he said. “It’s just one of those things that has kind of happened this year.  Honestly, if I could tell you what it is right now, it probably wouldn’t be happening. It sucks, honestly, in a close game, late in the game, when you’re putting the leadoff guy on, it’s kind of puts you at an automatic disadvantage. I’ve got to be better than that.

“That one’s on me. I’ve got to be better in the eighth there and at least be competitive, make good pitches to make him force his way on.’’

The loss marked just the fifth time in 58 games all season that the Red Sox lost a game in which they led after seven innings.

But given the opponent, the fact that it was the first game of a big road series, it left a mark.

Farrell seemed caught in between Monday night, unsure of whether to go all out to secure the final six outs, or play the long game and protect his bullpen for the final six weeks. The path he chose led to a demoralizing loss.

“We do have a sense of urgency to close games out,’’ said Farrell. “But with nearly 40 games to go, there’s still health concerns and injury potential that come into this. So that’s where the decision on who to bring in tonight come in.’’