Barnett impresses in first start of year, but A's can't pull out the win

WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Athletics had some of the ingredients required to secure a series split with the Red Sox on Thursday night, from the offense jumping out to an early three-run lead against Sonny Gray to Mason Barnett turning in a solid outing as he stepped back into a starting role.

All that good work was undone, however, as the Red Sox stormed back late with back-to-back home runs off right-hander Luis Medina in the eighth to take the lead for good, sending the A’s to a 5-4 loss at Sutter Health Park.

Here are three takeaways from Thursday’s defeat:

1. Barnett’s solid showcase

The A’s have been experimenting with J.T. Ginn’s rotation slot as he works his way back from the injured list due to a blister. On Thursday, Barnett got his first start in the big leagues this season. Working on a limited pitch count, the right-hander did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and completed five innings, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts.

A former top prospect, Barnett is going on his fourth big league stint with the A’s this year. Now holding a 4.85 ERA in 15 games, the 25-year-old has had his ups and downs. One constant, however, has been much better command of his fastball, which maxed out at 97.2 mph and generated six whiffs, along with improved feel for his breaking pitches in comparison to his time in the Majors last season.

“Barnett did a great job,” Kotsay said. “He executed his pitches tonight. He kept the ball in the ballpark. Those are good things. We’re going to keep building with him and keep putting him out there.”

Barnett has been utilized in a number of roles with the A’s now, from closing to starting and everything in between. It’s unclear what role awaits him once Ginn, who is eligible to come off the IL on Monday, returns to the rotation. But there is clearly an opportunity for Barnett here to continue contributing in some capacity as a young pitcher who could gain valuable development time over the final stretch of the season.

“Command has gotten a lot better,” Barnett said. “I was able to put the fastball in places where I want more consistently. The [improved] breaking balls, that comes from the mechanical work I’ve been doing. I’ve been able to just get more consistent overall. … Whatever role it is, just give me the ball, and I’m ready to go.”

2. Butler’s resurgence

Lawrence Butler entered this series below the Mendoza Line with a .196 batting average. He boosted that number to .209 by the end of it, going 5-for-11 with four doubles, a homer and a walk, including two doubles in Thursday’s loss.

To this point, Butler, an expected cornerstone of the franchise who signed a seven-year contract extension in March 2025, has had a disappointing season. These final two months, however, present a chance for him to change the narrative with a strong finish, and this four-game series against Boston was a good start.

“I do sense that Lawrence has more confidence,” Kotsay said. “He feels that he’s been responsible for where we’re at and he’s going to try to bring this group together and lead them forward. He’s playing with a full conviction of effort. The whole group is, really.”

3. Return to competitiveness

Yes, the A’s (45-64) have now lost 22 of their last 27 games. Yes, they have lost 10 straight series. This four-game set with the Red Sox, though, felt like a step in the right direction.

It wasn’t without its flaws, especially with the bullpen struggling in the late innings throughout, but the A’s were highly competitive against a hot Red Sox team that came into West Sacramento Monday having won 22 of 26 games since June 25, and all four games ended up being decided by two runs or fewer.

You can’t really say the A’s are building momentum until we start seeing some wins stack up, but perhaps these games can be utilized as a precursor to that much-needed roll they’d like to get on as they welcome the Tigers for three games this weekend.

“We showed up this series and really took a new mindset,” Barnett said. “It’s been awesome. All the guys are buying into it, and it’s going to be exciting for us to keep going in that mindset.”