Tigers' Wilson admits to intentionally plunking Frazier in 8th

The on-field fireworks never seemed to stop at Comerica Park on Thursday, and Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Wilson played a central role in the proceedings.

Shortly after entering the brawl-filled game in the eighth inning with his Tigers holding a 9-6 lead on the New York Yankees, Wilson plunked Todd Frazier with a fastball that brought the benches onto the field for a third time.

Wilson and Tigers manager Brad Ausmus were immediately ejected, and as the scrum grew around home plate Frazier had to be restrained from charging the mound while he and Wilson exchanged pleasantries.

Following the game, Wilson revealed that he threw at Frazier intentionally.

"At that point in the game, it was something that had to be handled," Wilson told Jason Beck of MLB.com.

The wild afternoon began when Miguel Cabrera and Austin Romine exchanged punches at home plate in the sixth inning, triggering an intense melee that included Gary Sanchez throwing a punch at a defenseless Cabrera during the ensuing scrum.

Watch: Cabrera throws punches at Romine to incite Tigers-Yankees brawl

One inning later, Dellin Betances hit James McCann in the head with a fastball, which saw the benches clear once again.

Wilson's beaning of Frazier was the final bench-clearing incident of the game, and the Tigers went on to win 10-6.

The Tigers and Yankees do not play each other again this season.