Then again, a week ago, Barnes was still a starting pitcher in Triple-A.
Making his second relief appearance since getting recalled by the Red Sox last weekend, Barnes tossed two scoreless innings, including a six-pitch 11th, and was credited with the decision in a 5-4 victory here over the Oakland Athletics.
Just the way the former first-round pick drew it up, right?
“No, I mean, a couple years ago, probably not,” said Barnes, a University of Connecticut product and Danbury native. “But it’s nice to get the first one. More importantly, nice for the team to get the ‘W.