Boston reliever Julian Tavarez punched Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright on Monday, and both were ejected after a brawl that began with a close play at home plate. Gathright was sliding into home in the eighth inning when he was tagged out by the often-hot tempered Tavarez, who stepped on the outfielder's right arm. Gathright, still on the ground, then used his left forearm to push Tavarez's left knee. Before Gathright got up, Tavarez struck a blow in the area of Gathright's left jaw, and players flocked in from the benches and bullpens. No other players appeared to throw punches, and order was restored after a few minutes.