Bogaerts, Lackey team up in Dogs' win

A key part of Boston's future teamed up with an integral cog of its current squad to lead the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs to an 8-2 win over the Binghamton Mets on Monday.

The Red Sox's top prospect Xander Bogaerts collected three hits and scored a pair of runs and rehabbing right-hander John Lackey struck out five batters over 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

Bogaerts singled in the fourth, sixth and eighth innings after reaching on center fielder Alonzo Harris' fielding error in the first frame and striking out swinging in the second.

The Aruba native now has three three-hit games in his past seven appearances, during which time he has recorded hits in six contests and raised his average from .171 to .290.

Signed as a non-drafted free agent, MLB.com's No. 20 prospect is getting his second look at the Eastern League. He hit .326 in 23 games in Portland last year, and he clubbed 20 homers and 81 RBIs in 127 starts across two levels.

Despite being 14 years older than Bogaerts, former All Star Lackey also played a big role Monday night in just his second game since September 2011.

He stranded runners at the corners in the first and he struck out the side around a two-out walk to Francisco Pena in the second. He induced a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Josh Rodriguez to wriggle out of a jam in the third and he retired the first two batters he faced in the fourth before being replaced by Keith Couch.

The 28th Major Leaguer to rehab for the Sea Dogs, Lackey threw 45 of 67 pitches for strikes. He landed on the disabled list with a right biceps strain April 10 and could rejoin Boston later this week.

Lackey, who won a World Series ring with the Angels in 2002 and led the American League with a 3.01 ERA in 2007, did not factor in the decision. Couch (1-0) earned the win, surrendering two runs -- one earned -- on four hits while striking out three batters over four innings.

Right-hander Jacob DeGrom (0-2) gave up six runs -- one earned -- on seven hits over five innings. He walked four batters and fanned three.