Fiery Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was busted for assaulting his father-in-law in the Citi Field clubhouse last night, cops said.
Rodriguez, nicknamed K-Rod for his many strikeouts, allegedly clashed with the 53-year-old man at around 10:15 p.m. amid other players’ families after the Mets blew a lead to the Colorado Rockies and lost, 6-2.
The 28-year-old record-holder for most saves in a single-season was arrested and charged with assault.
“Mind your own f—king business!” the irate pitcher spewed at reporters asking about the incident.
His father-in-law, whose name was withheld, was taken to Flushing Hospital with facial bruises and a head bump.
Cops said Rodriguez, a former All-Star, would spend the night at Citi Field in police custody before heading to arraignment at Queens Criminal Court today on a charge of third-degree assault.
Police sources said he was being held at the stadium for security reasons — so he wouldn’t be with other inmates at either the police station house or central booking.
Cops wouldn’t say whether Rodriguez is accused of slugging or shoving his wife’s father.
The hurler did not file a cross complaint.
It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the dispute, but the notoriously volatile K-Rod was passed over by Met manager Jerry Manuel in a bases-loaded situation in the eighth-inning last night, hoping to save him for the ninth.
But the Mets, who fell one game under .500, wound up blowing it in the eighth, and K-Rod never entered the game.
Rodriguez, who is known for wildly emotional antics while on the mound, even blew up at reporters who tried to talk to him after the game but before he allegedly attacked his father-in-law.
Rodriguez’s agent declined to comment.
The Mets confirmed an incident between their star and his family, but declined to comment further.
This isn’t the first time Rodriguez has lost his cool.
In May, Rodriguez and bullpen coach Randy Niemann got into a heated argument during warmups.
K-Rod was signed as a free agent before the 2009 season to a three-year, $39 million deal.
So far this year, he has a 2.25 earned-run average and 25 saves.