The $140 million man was back in action at Hadlock Field on Wednesday night.

Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story made his return to the field in the Portland Sea Dogs’ 8-0 victory over the Hartford Yard Goats, driving in a run and scoring another in his first action since July 12.

The Sea Dogs remained 1/2-game behind Northeast-leader Somerset, but have a two-game lead on Hartford.

Starting pitcher Bryan Mata struck out nine in six shutout innings and Hudson Potts homered and drove in five runs, but the main act was Story, who acknowledged an itch to return to the field.

“Anytime you miss a substantial amount of time, you get those jitters and that nervous feeling,” Story said. “But it’s all good. That’s why we play the game. If you lose that, then something’s wrong. But it felt good being back out there, back in the action. I’m happy with how it went.”

In his first game back, Story had his fingerprints on the Sea Dogs’ victory. In the first inning, he drew a hopeful cheer from the 5,237 fans by sending a 1-1 pitch to deep center field, scoring Ceddanne Rafaela to make it 2-0 Portland.

He drew a full-pitch walk in his second at-bat in the third, eventually scoring along with Christian Koss on Potts’ single to make it 5-0. He flew to center in his third at-bat, finishing 0 for 1 with an RBI and run. He also handled two chances in the field.

“(I wanted to) let it rip, don’t be hesitant,” Story said. “That’s the way I’ve felt the best coming back from injuries. Tonight was a good first step, I felt like I did that.”

Story, a two-time All-Star who’s in the first year of a six-year contract, had been sidelined since July 12, when he was hit by a pitch on the right hand in the fifth inning of a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The injury was initially thought to be a deep bruise, but a follow-up exam on July 30 revealed he actually suffered a hairline fracture in his hand just above the wrist, and he was shut down from swinging a bat for nearly two weeks.

At the time of his injury, Story was batting .221 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 81 games.

“Initially, there’s certainly some frustration,” said Story, 29. “We were trying to see if I could play there after the injury for a week or two, and it just wasn’t getting any better.”

Story said he expects to be in Portland for “at least a couple of games.” The Red Sox had gone 13-22 since Story’s injury entering Wednesday, and fallen seven games back in the American League wild-card race.

“We’re competitors and we do it at the highest level. That’s what we love to do, and when that’s taken from you your perspective changes a little bit, and you just can’t wait to get back out there,” Story said. “It’s always tough just watching.”

While Story was the main attraction, Mata, the Red Sox organization’s eighth-ranked prospect, continued his recent surge. The 23-year-old posted his third straight outing of six innings with no earned runs, showcasing a fastball that touched 98 miles per hour and sat at 96.

Hartford’s best chance against Mata came in the first when Hunter Stovall and Daniel Montano singled and Grant Lavigne walked, but Mata struck out the side. He allowed only runner from there to reach second, and finished with five hits and two walks allowed, improving to 5-2 with a 1.85 ERA in Portland.

“I’m feeling healthy, and the results have been there,” Mata said through an interpreter. “I’m pounding the zone and being consistent, and making sure I’m doing my mechanics right. After that, just throw for the strike zone and let the hitters (hit it). Everything doesn’t have to be perfect.”

After smacking his two-run single in the third, Potts, who took a .214 average into the game, clubbed a three-run homer to left in the fifth.

“He’s been consistent with his work all year,” Manager Chad Epperson said. “Last week in Reading … you could tell he was getting close. Tonight, he was able to impact the ballgame, for sure.”

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