Aaron Barrett has been careful to come back from injury at measured pace

Right-hander Aaron Barrett arrived in Friday's game in a critical moment.

The Nationals were holding on to a 2-1 lead over the Orioles and starter Gio Gonzalez had reached his max load. Gonzalez had thrown a strong six full innings, but had walked the first batter of the seventh. Suddenly, the Orioles had the tying run on first base with no one out.

Barrett was summoned to try to quell the Orioles' potential rally. He did just that. He struck out the first two batters he faced. Then, he induced dangerous hitter Manny Machado into a pop-up to the shortstop to end the threat.

It was Barrett's first game action since June 11. He didn't show any rust. He came out and went after hitters. He said recently he has taken on a new strategy of pacing himself when called in the bullpen to warm up. It had happened earlier Friday night before he was actually called into the game.

"There was a small situation in the sixth where I started playing some catch," Barrett said. "But, as I've learned throughout last year and this year, I've kind of been able to manage my throws and I didn't really get that close to being hot. Since there was only two outs, I had plenty of time to get loose so I think I managed as many throws as I could so I was able to pitch the seventh and be effective."

Barrett said throughout the rehab process, leading up to Friday's first appearance in a month, he has not felt any tweaks with his injured right biceps.

"I haven't felt any of the pain or any soreness that I was getting when I was feeling it in the past, so that's a good, sign and it's just about continuing to build the arm strength and keep working and being smart at the same time," Barrett said. "Trying to limit as many throws as possible when I'm warming up and not exactly have to go in. It's all about a feel for the game so I just got to keep it going."