CHICAGO — Matt Barnes didn’t hesitate to ask for help earlier this season when he noticed opposing hitters were making better contact against him.

He talked to Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis, bullpen coach Dana LeVangie, catcher Ryan Hanigan, and bullpen mates Tommy Layne and Robbie Ross Jr. for advice.

The consensus was that Barnes needed to get ahead with his fastball and rely less on his curveball and changeup.

“I was trying to trick guys I think instead of being aggressive,’’ he said. “I needed to pitch more off my fastball and use my secondary stuff to complement my fastball.’’

Barnes pitched 1? scoreless innings against the White Sox on Thursday to get the win. He has allowed only four earned runs over 14? innings this season. His concern is over giving up 14 hits and seven walks.

For a pitcher with aspirations of getting into high-leverage situations late in the game, that’s too many men on base.

“It was like, ‘What am I getting beat on?’ I had to look at it deeper. You know you’re going to get beat sometimes, but if I’m going to get beat, it should be on my best pitch and that’s my fastball,’’ Barnes said.

Barnes has averaged 96 miles per hour with his fastball this season and hit 99.

“I don’t think it’s velocity as much as quality location in the strike zone,’’ manager John Farrell said. “Matt is probably more effective when he’s using his secondary pitches around his fastball.’’

Barnes, 25, was developed as a starter and wasn’t moved to the bullpen until last season. In some ways, he still has a starter’s mentality and wants to set hitters up. But in relief work, the goal is to get ahead and stay ahead.

“You want to keep them guessing but that can hurt you,’’ he said. “I need to get in there and throw strikes.’’

Barnes is valuable on several fronts out of the bullpen. He has the ability to go multiple innings but also the velocity to come in and face one tough righthanded hitter.

“I’ve enjoyed it. I want to be in those tight situations,’’ he said. “It’s a good role for me. As time goes on and you gain some confidence, I feel I’m making progress.’’

Ortiz honored

The White Sox paid tribute to David Ortiz with a video that included highlights from his career and words of praise from manager Robin Ventura and several players, Jimmy Rollins among them.

Chris Sale presented Ortiz with a custom-made humidor of hand-rolled cigars. Ortiz then said a few words thanking the small crowd.

Yankees on deck

The Red Sox start a three-game series in the Bronx on Friday night against the Yankees. The Sox swept three games from New York at Fenway Park last weekend, outscoring their rivals, 20-9.

The first two games are rematches as Rick Porcello faces Michael Pineda before David Price starts against Nathan Eovaldi.

Porcello went seven scoreless innings against the Yankees last Saturday, allowing five singles and striking out six with one walk.

Farrell believes the pitchers have an advantage facing the same team twice in a row.

“It’s going to come down to the execution. . . . It doesn’t mean you change your whole game plan. But the precedent has been set,’’ he said. “The pitcher always has the ability to adjust if need be. I always think the pitcher is going to have the upper hand.’’

Porcello is 9-4 with a 3.00 earned run average in his last 13 starts. That includes three starts against the Yankees. He has allowed five earned runs in 23 innings in those games.

“The biggest thing I’ve seen is his ability to make an adjustment in one pitch,’’ Farrell said. “There’s always going to be those four or five times in the course of a game where a pitcher has to make a key pitch. He’s more readily able to make those right now.’’

Extra work

Eduardo Rodriguez was on the field four hours before first pitch running through some fielding drills with the coaching staff. The lefthander committed throwing errors in each of his two minor league injury rehabilitation starts.

Rodriguez is scheduled to start for Triple A Pawtucket on Sunday at McCoy Stadium against Rochester.

Joe Kelly will be with Pawtucket on Friday to start his rehab assignment. Kelly has been on the disabled list since April 20 with a shoulder impingement. The plan is for Kelly to throw three innings and 50-55 pitches. The righthander will make at least two minor league starts before the Red Sox consider activating him.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com.