Five ejected in tense game

Both benches cleared during the second inning of a spring training game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., leading to the ejections of two players and two coaches.

The teams, meeting four days after Yankees Manager Joe Girardi complained about Tampa Bay’s aggressive play after a play at the plate that injured catcher Francisco Cervelli, had been warned.

The benches cleared after New York’s Shelley Duncan slid into Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura with spikes raised after hitting a hard grounder off third baseman Evan Longoria’s glove.

Duncan, thrown out by at least 10 feet, was immediately ejected. Tampa Bay’s Jonny Gomes was ejected too, after racing in from right field and barreling into Duncan as other players poured onto the field.

Yankees third base coach Bobby Meacham and hitting coach Kevin Long also were ejected. New York left-hander Heath Phillips was ejected in the first inning after one of his pitches grazed Longoria.

Meanwhile, New York’s Andy Pettitte didn’t start because of irritation in his left elbow.

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Major League Baseball has taken no steps to discipline players mentioned in the Mitchell Report, making it unlikely anyone will be punished before opening day, several attorneys with knowledge of the disciplinary process said.