TAMPA, Fla. – Boston’s pitcher threw a ball behind Alex Rodriguez and no one got upset.

It’s only spring training, and a match-up between the Red Sox and Yankees doesn’t necessarily add to the teams’ rivalry.

Rodriguez scrambled out of the way of the first-inning pitch by John Halama, who pitched three innings in Boston’s 7-2 victory yesterday.

“We’re great friends,” Rodriguez said of Halama. “I just laughed.”

Halama, who played with Rodriguez in Seattle, said he was trying to throw the pitch inside, but it broke too much.

“I try not to laugh out because I want to try to get him out,” Halama said, “but after it was over I came into the dugout and I laughed about it.”

It wasn’t as peaceful last July 24 when Rodriguez was hit by a pitch by Boston’s Bronson Arroyo at Fenway Park. Rodriguez stared and yelled at Arroyo as he started walking toward first base. Catcher Jason Varitek then pushed Rodriguez and the dugouts and bullpens emptied.

There were other differences between the exhibition game, played five days before Boston faces New York at Yankee Stadium on opening day Sunday, and a meaningful matchup.

The Red Sox used only four regular starters and their entire outfield was made up of players not on their 40-man roster. The Yankees started most of their regulars, although first baseman Jason Giambi and second baseman Tony Womack sat out with injuries.

Giambi has minor tightness in his left hamstring and Womack was hit by a pitch in his left knee Monday. He had an MRI yesterday that showed no serious damage. Both are expected to play tomorrow.

Also yesterday, the Yankees traded pitcher Bret Prinz to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for catcher Wil Nieves.

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MARTINEZ FEELS GOOD AFTER FIVE-INNING START

Pedro Martinez threw 83 pitches against Mets minor leaguers yesterday, four days after missing a scheduled start because of a lower-back strain, and said he plans to start the season opener.

Martinez allowed one earned run and three hits over five innings of the simulated game. He struck out seven and walked two. Martinez, 33, expects to throw a bullpen session tomorrow before taking the mound to start the regular season against the Cincinnati Reds next Monday.

“He’s ready to roll,” Mets manager Willie Randolph said in Viera, before his major league squad faced the Washington Nationals. The Mets won that game 4-3 , getting ninth-inning homers from Miguel Cairo and Luis Garcia.

Also yesterday, the Mets acquired infielder Benji Gil from the Mariners for cash. Out of the majors since 2003, Gil will report to minor-league camp.