Furbush finding form in Mariners' rotation

When the Detroit Tigers traded pitcher Charlie Furbush to the Mariners on July 30, the left-hander couldn’t have been blamed for thinking the world had thrown him a diabolical change-up.

Furbush was leaving a team in first place, competing for a playoff spot in what then was a bunched-up American League Central Division, for a reeling team that had just won its first game in almost three weeks.

So how is the 25-year-old adjusting to life in the last-place lane?

“I’m having a blast,” he said Sunday. “It’s definitely not a bad thing to be traded, that’s for sure.”

While it’s more fun to be in the thick of a pennant race than to have to settle for spoiling somebody else’s party, the trade presented some long-term benefits for Furbush.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland once regarded him as a candidate for the Tigers’ fifth starting spot, but two ineffective outings in July found Furbush demoted to Triple- A. Upon his return to the big leagues, Furbush was told he was a better fit for the Tigers as a long reliever and occasional lefty-on-lefty specialist.

On his first day back in Detroit, Furbish was given still another job: catching the ceremonial first pitch from Santa Claus during the team’s Christmas in July promotion.

“Whatever they want me to do, I’ll do,” had said of his relief role.

Those were not the words of somebody who figured to be crestfallen over the news he’d been dealt.

Furbush was leaving a pennant race, but he was getting a new start, with a chance to make a start once the Mariners traded Erik Bedard.

A sparkling effort against the Red Sox on Sunday solidified Furbush’s status in the rotation. While it’s too early to tell whether he’s passed the audition, holding baseball’s most imposing lineup to four hits and a run over seven innings will get a rookie noticed.

“He was more consistent with his fastball, moving it around in spots,” Wedge said after the Mariners beat Boston, 5-3. “He did a good job with his breaking ball, particularly against the right-handers. He was very poised, and he had good tempo. There was a lot to like out there.”

The day began with the visitors ready to make Boston baseball history.

A victory would have given them eighth consecutive winning road trips, extending their franchise record of seven. Furthermore, veteran Tim Wakefield was on the mound, attempting to become the 89th pitcher since 1900 to win 200 games.

Wakefield’s pitching opponent came to Safeco Field with two career victories. As a starter, Furbush’s record was even more modest: 1-3, with a 7.71 ERA over 16 innings.

But while Wakefield’s agenda was to baffle hitters with a signature knuckleball that darts and dances – he doesn’t know where it’s going, which is the trick: neither do the hitters – Furbush had a plan.

“Getting ahead early,” he said. “That was one of the things I wanted to focus on: Show fastball early in the count. It makes things easier on you when you throw more strikes. I pitched against these guys before, and I kind of had a few things I wanted to stick to in certain situations, on certain counts, with certain hitters. The change-up, the curve and the slider were all pretty effective.”

Mariners left fielder Casper Wells, brought to Seattle as part of the trade that sent Doug Fister and David Pauley to the Tigers, is familiar with Furbush’s repertoire from their days as teammates in both the minors and majors. Wells, whose solo homer in the sixth inning helped his friend’s cause, was impressed with what he saw Sunday.

“It seemed like he was keeping them off balance – coming in, throwing away, spotting the ball, keeping it down in the zone,” Wells said. “That’s what you’ve got to do against a team like the Red Sox, or any offensive team: Keep the ball down and locate the fastball. He’s got a nasty slider, so if he locates the fastball, he can be tough to hit.”

Asked about Furbush’s apparent demotion to the bullpen in Detroit, Wells continued: “I’d always seen him as a starter. He’s got good pace, good control and he can locate. His fastball and slider are pretty good pitches. I think if you’re a reliever coming in …”

Wells stopped. His train of thought had derailed.

“I don’t really know,” he said with a smile. “I’m turning into a pitching coach?”

Furbush gives the Mariners some options. Starting pitching appears to be an organizational strength, especially if the organization can agree to contract terms with No. 2 overall draft choice Danny Hultzen by the signing deadline of 9 tonight.

In any case, a team that gave up 40 percent of its starting rotation at the trade deadline could be making a seamless transition toward the future with Furbush and fellow rookie Blake Beavan.

Furbush has started three games for the Mariners, and pitched lights-out in the two that were in Safeco Field – another consideration for Wedge, who admits he hasn’t seen enough of Furbush in a starting role to offer a thorough evaluation.

“But one of the reasons we wanted him to start,” Wedge said, “was to take a good look at him and give him the opportunity.”

Sunday was more than a simple opportunity for Furbush. A New England native raised deep in the heart of the Red Sox Nation – he’s from Portland, Maine – the start was a chance for him to show his stuff against the team he followed as a kid.

“It’s been pretty exciting for the people back home,” he said.

“They’ve been calling me, knowing I was going to pitch against my favorite team growing up. It’s pretty cool.”

It was quite cool Sunday for fans whose seats were in the shade. But nobody was cooler than Charlie Furbush.

By throwing first-pitch strikes and mixing in breaking stuff to keep the Red Sox off balance, he celebrated Christmas in August.