Ex-MLBer Latos sparks Indy league brawl

Warning: Videos may contain coarse language

It's safe to say you don't want to get on Mat Latos' bad side.

The former big-league pitcher is now playing in the independent Can-Am League with the New Jersey Jackals, and Latos was front and center while starting an ugly brawl on Saturday night against the rival Rockland Boulders.

Things began to get testy in the sixth inning when Rockland's Marcus Nidiffer ran over the Jackals' catcher in a violent home-plate collision. Both benches cleared and the two teams had a heated exchange around the plate, with Latos doing most of the jawing for an angry New Jersey squad.

Once play resumed, Latos escalated the situation by continuing to throw inside at the next Boulders hitter, Kevin Krause.

The brawl began when he aimed his second pitch at Krause's head. As Latos waited for Krause to charge the mound, Rockland reliever Ryan Deemes came flying at him from the first-base dugout, only to be violently bodyslammed to the ground by the 6-foot-6, 245-pound Latos.

Multiple punches were thrown in the pile up, and a steaming Latos had to be restrained. When the dust finally settled, Latos and Deemes were ejected. Unfortunately, Jackals first baseman Danny Canela also had to leave after he suffered an injury during the melee, according to Jackals broadcast intern Andrew May.

New Jersey would go on to win the game 5-3 on a walk-off homer.

The 30-year-old Latos joined the Jackals in April and owns a 5.14 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 12 walks over four starts this year. He spent nine seasons at the major-league level with eight teams, most recently playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.