Boston ? Hard feelings between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are nothing new. These teams and their devoted fans have been at each other’s throats for the last 85 years, during which time the Yankees have taken a slight 26-0 lead in world championships.

But the nastiness that erupted during Saturday’s Game 3 at Fenway Park exceeded the norm. It goes beyond inside pitches and hard slides to see a 72-year-old coach flung to the ground by a 31-year-old athlete. Or to see a grounds crew member throwing and taking punches from visiting players.

“I think, when this series began, everyone knew it was going to be quite a battle,” Red Sox manager Grady Little said. “But I think we’ve upgraded it from a battle to a war.”

The Yankees lead the best-of-seven ALCS two games to one, having posted a 4-3 victory in the critical game of the series, the one started by Pedro Martinez. But rather than being the dominant figure who had never lost a postseason start, Martinez instead was outpitched and outcomposed by the Yankees’ Roger Clemens.

Frustrated about having blown a 2-0 lead, Martinez clearly was upset in the fourth inning after giving up a ground-rule double to Hideki Matsui that put the Yankees ahead, 3-2. With runners at second and third and first base open, Martinez hit a ducking Karim Garcia with a pitch behind the outfielder’s back.

“There’s no question in my mind Pedro hit him on purpose,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said. “He can thread a needle any time he wants.”

Martinez’s control is impeccable, but so was Garcia’s. He didn’t charge the mound, but he took out second baseman Todd Walker with a hard slide as Alfonso Soriano hit into a double play that scored another run.

“Somebody had to pay, and unfortunately it was Todd Walker,” Garcia said. “He was upset I went in hard, and I understand. But I’ve got to get somebody.”

Umpires separated the players and issued warnings to both sides. And in the surprise of the day, the volatile Clemens kept his cool. At least until leadoff batter Manny Ramirez ducked from a high pitch that wasn’t near his head and started toward Clemens, setting off another bench-clearing melee.

“I don’t know if he was trying to get me thrown out of the game or what,” Clemens said. “The pitch was over the plate. The ball wasn’t even close. He would know if I meant it. There wouldn’t be no mistake about it.”

As the teams confronted each other, Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer sought out Martinez and appeared to lunge toward the pitcher. Martinez grabbed Zimmer’s head with both hands and flung the former Boston manager to the ground. It was an ugly sight, but the only nearby witnesses were a police officer and Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.

“We have the utmost respect for Don Zimmer, but he put himself at risk by charging Pedro,” Walker said. “Nobody in this clubhouse blames Pedro for what he did.”

The other clubhouse wasn’t so forgiving. Zimmer said he was fine and declined further comment, but was sent after the game to nearby Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for a checkup.

“I don’t care if he comes at you or not,” Yankees relief pitcher Jeff Nelson said. “He’s an older man. You can’t move out of the way? You don’t do something like that to somebody that age. It’s ridiculous.”

Martinez appeared contrite as he left the ballpark, saying, “He’s an older man, a wiser man. I have all the respect for Joe Torre and Don Zimmer.”