CLEVELAND -- Red Sox manager John Farrell gave the ball to Matt Barnes with a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning against the Indians at Progressive Field on Monday.

Farrell said setup man Addison Reed wasn't available and he also was trying to stay away from Brandon Workman.

Barnes walked Francisco Lindor on five pitches. He then fell behind Austin Jackson 2-0 before Jackson singled to left-center field on a 2-1 pitch.

Farrell replaced Barnes with Heath Hembree who struck out Jose Ramirez for the first out. But Edwin Encarnacion drilled an RBI single to left field to tie the game 4-4.

Over his past five outings (4 innings), Barnes has allowed four runs, all earned, eight hits (one homer) and three walks while striking out three.

Barnes has a 5.53 ERA in 27 2/3 innings on the road. He has a 1.95 ERA in 32 1/3 innings at Fenway Park.

The righty has struggled with his command throughout the season. He has averaged 4.0 walks per nine innings.

"It sucks, honestly," Barnes said. "In a close game, late in a game, when you're putting the leadoff guy on, it kind of puts you at an automatic disadvantage, especially a team that's got speed and you're in the middle of the order in a close game. Got to be better than that. Move forward and get after it tomorrow."

Farrell was asked if it becomes difficult to use him in these situations.

"On a night when other guys are unavailable, this is the guy that's got the most experience and has done a good job in that role," Farrell said.

Why such vastly different stats on the road and home?

"In talking with him -- without making a major issue out of it -- it's about commanding the baseball," Farrell said. "You go back, you look at video. Make no mistake, he feels comfortable at Fenway Park. That's a given. We see that. More than anything, it's the leadoff hitter of the inning. And that's what we're working (at). It's not attacking the same way. We've altered the attack plan on first pitches, trying to get ahead in the count."

Barnes said about the road/home splits, "It's just one of those things that's just kind of happened this year. Going to move forward from today and what's happened in the past and work on it, get better at it and make the adjustment."