PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Some of the pitches looked crisp.

Others, flat.

The flat ones got smacked.

Charlie Furbush made a New England homecoming Monday night, and it did not go well.

Furbush, 25, the former pitcher for South Portland High and St. Joseph’s College, came to Rhode Island, pitching for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

With about 20 friends and family members watching, the Pawtucket Red Sox pounced on Furbush for three home runs. He allowed seven runs (five earned) and exited with two outs in the second inning.

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“Unfortunately, I couldn’t show (friends and family) a good one,” Furbush said. “Just a tough day out there.

“I was trying to pitch like I have been but I left some pitches up in the zone.”

Despite the outing, Furbush has decent numbers after five starts with a 3.55 ERA. His previous two starts were solid wins, including a one-hit shutout in a seven-inning game, part of a doubleheader.

“It’s definitely been a great start,” Furbush said. “And it’s good to be back in Triple-A again.”

Furbush, a 6-foot-5 left-hander, was the Tigers’ fourth-round draft pick in 2007, out of Louisiana State (where he transferred after two seasons at St. Joseph’s). He elevated himself to prospect status with a solid 2010 (183 strikeouts) and was placed on Detroit’s 40-man roster.

He participated in major league spring training camp and then was assigned to the Mud Hens.

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Furbush got leadoff batter Yamaico Navarro in a hole, 0-2. But after a ball, Navarro ripped the fourth pitch to left field for a double. After a passed ball and a walk, Navarro scored on a fielder’s choice.

Hector Luna came up, fell behind 1-2 and then drilled a hanging cut fastball over the left-field wall for a 3-0 lead.

“Just a cutter that I wanted to go more in with,” Furbush said. “But he got the barrel on it.

“Had some pitches that I just didn’t (locate). That’s the game.”

Furbush got out of the inning by striking out Daniel Nava and getting Luis Exposito to pop out.

But Furbush began the second inning by walking Juan Carlos Linares. Furbush looked in good shape when Jose Iglesias hit a grounder to second for a possible double play. But second baseman Argenis Diaz bobbled the ball and everyone was safe.

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After Navarro flew out, Drew Sutton fouled off four pitches before blasting a curveball to left for a three-run homer.

After a Josh Reddick flyout, Luna drilled a full-count offering over the left-field wall for his second homer.

That ended Furbush’s night. He threw 59 pitches, 35 for strikes.

“Just got to take it a game at a time right now,” Furbush said. “Not dwell on what just happened. Next start, just go out and keep doing my thing.”

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

 


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