BOSTON - It couldn’t have been any prettier.

Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek executed a nifty hit-and-run play, leading to a run and a 4-1 lead for Boston in the fourth inning.

Youkilis took off from first base on a 1-and-0 pitch to Varitek, batting left-handed against Jackson. As Youkilis ran to second, Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett went to cover the bag.

Varitek stayed back on the fastball, content to just slap at the pitch rather than take a full cut. He could see Bartlett leaving a hole at shortstop, and he guided the ball on the ground through the vacated position.

Youkilis easily steamed into third base on the single to left and scored on a sacrifice fly by Coco Crisp.