AL Wire Notes | A's, Rangers brawl after Swisher is hit

Nick Swisher and Vicente Padilla didn't say much after their fight led to a bench-clearing brawl Sunday.

"I have no reaction," Swisher said. "I just went out there and did what I had to do."

Swisher, who hit a home run in each of the first three games of the series in Oakland, Calif., tackled Padilla after getting hit in the first inning. A's second baseman Jack Hannahan dived into the pile, and A's manager Bob Geren got into a heated argument with the umpires.

"How many times can one team hit you in a row?" Geren said. "The guy hits three home runs — make better pitches. You don't hit him."

Texas won 11-9.

Swisher was hit by Bill White in the seventh inning Saturday and glared at the mound as the umpires issued a warning to both teams. The precaution evidently didn't carry over.

"We go inside on him and he hits a home run. We go outside on him and he hits a home run," Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "I'm sure he was frustrated about getting hit [Saturday]."

Second-base umpire Tim Timmons was bumped to the ground during the fray, and plate umpire Chuck Meriwether wasted little time in tossing Padilla and Swisher, who had to be restrained by catcher Kurt Suzuki and several teammates. Nobody else was ejected.

"I was upset when they ejected Padilla and I made that known," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "You have to pitch inside to everything. Did I put a hit out on Swish? No."

Swisher's teammates backed Washington.

"I know it wasn't from Wash," A's second baseman Mark Ellis said. "I know that for a fact. You have to ask the guys throwing the pitches. When you keep getting hit over and over again, sooner or later you have to do something."

Said A's starter Lenny DiNardo: "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind it was intentional."

Baltimore: LHP Jamie Walker made his 77th appearance of the season, breaking the club record held by B.J. Ryan and Tippy Martinez.

Cleveland: C Victor Martinez has an 11-game hitting streak in which he's batting .349 (15 for 43) with seven RBI.

Detroit: Closer Todd Jones survived a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning to become the 21st pitcher to reach 300 saves. "Ernie Harwell would be proud," Jones said, referring to the Tigers' Hall of Fame broadcaster, who dubbed Jones "The Roller Coaster" during the right-hander's first tenure with the Tigers. "I earned it again today."

Kansas City: RHP Joakim Soria earned his first save since Aug. 24.

Los Angeles: OF Gary Matthews Jr. missed his fifth straight game with a sprained ankle.

New York: C Jorge Posada was in the lineup as the DH, one day after he was knocked over at home plate.

Tampa Bay: LHPs J.P. Howell and Jeff Ridgway were recalled from Class AAA Durham.

Texas: C Gerald Laird was scratched from the starting lineup with a sore right knee.

Toronto: 2B Aaron Hill hit his 42nd double, breaking Roberto Alomar's club record for second basemen set in 1991.

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