BOSTON - Familiarity breeds stolen bases, apparently.

Eric Hinske, who stole three bases for the Sox last year and only five over the last three seasons, saw enough of Boston starter Josh Beckett to know that he has a tendency to ignore baserunners at second. Beckett doesn’t always hold them close.

So after lacing a one-out double off the center-field wall, the lumbering Hinske got a great jump and stole third without a throw on Beckett’s 0-and-1 pitch to Gabe Gross.

Beckett, though, stranded Hinske at third, striking out Gross and retiring Jason Bartlett on a liner to center.

skrasner@projo.com