When Portland Sea Dogs second baseman Josh Tobias squeezed the popup to end the top of the third inning Wednesday night, the Hadlock Field crowd clapped heartily.

It was finally over.

The Hartford Yard Goats scored eight runs in the third and took a 13-3 lead. The game was already 90 minutes old.

At least it was a beautiful night – the game-time temperature was 74 degrees – as the Sea Dogs lost 13-8.

Two notable Red Sox prospects were in the spotlight: Right-handed pitcher Travis Lakins made his Double-A debut after being promoted last week. It did not go well. Lakins lasted only 12/3 innings, giving up five runs.

Rafael Devers went 1 for 4 with a line single to right field. He’s batting .330.

Devers is the third-base prospect some fans are clamoring for in Boston. That’s not going to happen soon, although Devers could be bound for Triple-A Pawtucket in the coming weeks.

With Red Sox minor league personnel in Portland on Wednesday – including Ben Crockett, director of player development, and his assistant, Brian Abraham – there was speculation that the Red Sox might be ready to make a move with Devers.

But the Red Sox major league folks only said that Boston third baseman Pablo Sandoval will begin a rehab assignment with Pawtucket starting Friday.

Sandoval hasn’t played in almost a month, so he’s going to need some time with the PawSox – which appears to preclude any move by Devers.

Still, Devers, at age 20, is impressing early in his first Double-A season. He has a .989 OPS with seven home runs.

The Red Sox wanted Devers to manage his at-bats better and …

“He really has,” Crockett said. “It’s been a great experience to be at this level. … He’s been pitched carefully by other teams. It’s been great to see his response to that, with patience and comfort.

“He really is honing in on the pitches he can do damage on.”

Devers left the game after the seventh inning “to get a breather,” said Sea Dogs Manager Carlos Febles, noting Thursday’s 11 a.m. game.

Lakins, 22, was a sixth-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2015. Ranked as Boston’s 13th-best prospect by Baseball America, Lakins was 5-0 in Salem this year with a 2.61 ERA.

“A guy who certainly has some really good stuff,” Crockett said. “Just a matter of continuing to learn how to put himself in the best position by using it most effectively.”

Lakins does have a 95 mph fastball and his curve can be a killer pitch, but he wasn’t effective Wednesday.

After giving up a run in the first – after a leadoff double – Lakins labored in the second.

He allowed a walk, three singles and another run. His pitch count climbed. Ashley Graeter worked a 13-pitch at-bat, culminating in a three-run double for a 5-0 lead. Lakins was done after 49 pitches.

“Too amped up,” Febles said. “First start in Double-A. I won’t get caught up (in Wednesday’s start). The kid has a great arm. He’ll be fine.”

Reliever Taylor Grover stranded a runner in the second but couldn’t retire a batter in the third. Eight straight reached, including Omar Carrizales’ grand slam.

Jake Cosart relieved with his best Double-A performance (three hitless innings, one walk, one hit batter).

Tobias had three RBI in the game on a single a double.

NOTES: The announced paid attendance was 5,013. … Thursday’s game features an 11 a.m. start. Buses from 27 schools will be arriving at Hadlock for this annual May field trip.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: @ClearTheBases

Copy the Story Link