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Peavy takes mound on short rest to face division rival

Sep 5, 2007 - 3:37 PM San Diego (76-62) at Arizona (77-63) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Jake Peavy takes the hill on three days' rest as the San Diego Padres face the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final time this season on Wednesday.

Peavy (16-5, 2.10 ERA) asked to start on Wednesday knowing how important this series is, and will look to help the Padres move out of a virtual tie for first place in the National League West.

The hard-throwing righthander is 7-0 with a 1.17 ERA over his last eight starts, greatly helping his chances of winning the NL Cy Young Award. Peavy leads the majors in ERA while also pacing the NL in wins and strikeouts (206).

Peavy has been especially dominant against the Diamondbacks this season, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.71 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.

Arizona moved just percentage points behind San Diego with Tuesday's 9-1 rout. Tony Clark and Eric Byrnes homered, while Doug Davis threw seven effective innings.

The Diamondbacks also remained three games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies (73-65) in the wild card.

Livan Hernandez (9-9, 4.67) was on the wrong end of a pitchers' duel the last time he faced Peavy. Hernandez, who is winless in his last three starts, allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings of a 3-1 setback to the Padres on August 27.

Overall, the righthander has had great success against San Diego, going 10-4 with a 3.80 ERA in 21 starts.