The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers nearly came to blows after Josh Beckett hit Magglio Ordonez in the side of the head with a breaking ball.

Ordonez was hit in the helmet by a pitch Saturday, sending the Detroit slugger to the hospital and sparking a testy exchange between two of the AL’s top teams in Lakeland, Fla.

Beckett plunked Gary Sheffield with a first-inning pitch and nailed Ordonez in the third, forcing him from the game. He was treated at a hospital.

Detroit reliever Todd Jones then threw behind Boston’s J.D. Drew in the fifth, and the benches and bullpens emptied. Players converged near home plate, but no punches were thrown.

Jones and Tigers manager Jim Leyland were ejected. In the clubhouse after Detroit’s 7-6 loss, Ordonez wore a bandage that covered much of his head.

“He was groggy, but that was to be expected,” Leyland said. “Josh throws a hard breaking ball. I’m sure he won’t play tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll have a headache.”

Ordonez declined to comment.

Red Sox reliever Travis Hughes also hit Chris Shelton with a pitch in the eighth. Eric Hinske’s grand slam off Justin Verlander keyed Boston’s five-run first inning.

In other games:

Giants 13, Rangers 9

At Scottsdale, Ariz., Barry Bonds homered for the second consecutive day, but said he wants to concentrate on hitting more line drives.

Nationals 7, Mets 6

At Viera, Fla., Tim Redding didn’t help his chances of earning a spot in Washington’s rotation, allowing four runs, five hits and two walks in two innings.

Yankees 5, Pirates 3

At Bradenton, Fla., Kei Igawa felt more comfortable in his second exhibition outing for New York – except for the homer and double he gave up to Ronny Paulino. Igawa struck out four and walked none but gave up five hits in three innings.

Braves 4, Blue Jays 1

At Kissimmee, Fla., Mark Redman pitched three strong innings for Atlanta after rushing from his home in Oklahoma to the Braves’ complex at Walt Disney World. The left-hander agreed to a minor-league contract Friday to replace injured Mike Hampton in the rotation.

Twins 4, Devil Rays (ss) 3, (11)

At Fort Myers, Fla., Michael Cuddyer had two hits, including an RBI double, to lead Minnesota. Twins starter Ramon Ortiz struck out four and did not walk a batter in three impressive innings. He gave up three hits and an unearned run.

Phillies (ss) 6, Devil Rays (ss) 4

At St. Petersburg, Fla., new Tampa Bay third baseman Akinori Iwamura got his first hit and drove in a run.

Astros 3, Phillies (ss) 2, (10)

At Kissimmee, Fla., Jon Lieber pitched in and out of trouble, allowing one run and five hits in four innings for Philadelphia. Luke Scott homered, and Carlos Lee hit an RBI double for Houston.

Reds 5, Indians 2

At Winter Haven, Fla., Trot Nixon played three pain-free innings in his first exhibition game for Cleveland.

Cardinals 4, Orioles 0

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Adam Wainwright blanked Baltimore on five hits through 42â3 innings. The former closer has yet to allow a run in three starts this spring.

Dodgers (ss) 5, Marlins (ss) 2

At Jupiter, Fla., Mark Hendrickson allowed one hit and an unearned run in three innings in his first start of the spring for Los Angeles.

Marlins 8 (ss), Dodgers 5 (ss)

At Vero Beach, Fla., Juan Pierre’s bunt double sparked Los Angeles’ two-out rally in the third inning. Pierre blooped his bunt over the head of Marlins third baseman Joe Dillon, and Nomar Garciaparra followed with a two-run homer.

Brewers 9, Diamondbacks 8

At Phoenix, Milwaukee newcomer Jeff Suppan was tagged for three homers and five runs on seven hits.

Mariners 10, Angels 4

At Tempe, Ariz., Seattle’s Jose Guillen homered and drove in three runs against his former team. Fellow newcomer Miguel Batista allowed one run and five hits in three innings.

Padres 11, Rockies (ss) 3

At Peoria, Ariz., Terrmel Sledge led off the game with his fourth home run, and Josh Bard also connected for San Diego.

Rockies (ss) 15, White Sox (ss) 11

At Tucson, Ariz., Chicago lefty Mark Buehrle gave up six runs and six hits in four innings.

White Sox 10 (ss), Athletics 6

At Tucson, Ariz., Joe Crede got three hits for Chicago and is batting .522 in eight games.