HOUSTON -- Reliever Matt Bush threw the single-fastest pitch of the Rangers season Monday.

That's not necessarily a good thing.

Pitching coach Doug Brocail said he talked with Bush after he blew a 101.24 mph fastball past George Springer to end the seventh inning about dialing back his velocity just a notch. Bush threw four pitches at or above 100 mph in the at-bat, three of them for balls before executing one down in the strike zone. Bush is the only Rangers pitcher to hit 100 mph this season.

"I don't really like to see 100 or 101," Brocail. "It's nice to know he's got it, but I don't think that's where he is at his best. The most important things is the extension and the angle on the delivery, not the radar gun."

Said Bush: "I definitely wanted to go with my best fastball. I've gotten him a few times with my velocity and I'm not going to back down in that situation."

Briefly: RHP Tony Barnette, who has not pitched since Sept. 4 due to a strained oblique muscle, threw on flat ground for the second straight day Tuesday. He said he felt progress, but there is still no definitive timetable for when he will return. ... RHP Yu Darvish said he's been toying around with throwing a split-finger fastball again, but pitching coach Doug Brocail said he has discouraged the use of it for this year. ... RHP Tanner Scheppers' save Monday pushed the club's total to 51, one shy of the franchise record set in 2004.

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant