Major League Baseball officials weighed in on the benches-clearing brawl started by Nick Swisher and the Texas Rangers' Vicente Padilla on Sunday, and prior history likely factored into each player's punishment. Swisher was given a three-game suspension for charging the mound after Padilla hit him with a fastball in the ribs. Padilla was given a seven-game suspension for "intentionally throwing" at Swisher, according to an announcement made by Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for MLB. "If someone is going to charge the mound, you think they're going to get a suspension," said A's pitcher Lenny DiNardo, who started Sunday's game. "I'm glad (Swisher) got less than Padilla." It was the first suspension of Swisher's three-plus seasons in the majors, and the first time he had charged the mound. He also was hit by Texas pitchers on Friday and Saturday. Several A's players said Padilla, who leads the majors with 75 hit batsmen since 2002, has a reputation for throwing at hitters. Swisher began serving his suspension with Tuesday night's game against the Seattle Mariners, choosing not to appeal. As it turns out, the timing of his punishment works out pretty well considering Swisher was seen on crutches Tuesday after fouling a ball off his right foot in Monday's game.