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Peavy looks to rebound as Padres host Pirates

Sep 23, 2006 - 3:13 PM Pittsburgh (65-89) at San Diego (81-72) 10:05 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Jake Peavy has been inconsistent in his last six starts.

The San Diego Padres send Peavy to the mound in the second game of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Peavy (9-14, 4.25 ERA) was solid against the Cincinnati Reds on September 13, allowing no runs and three hits in six innings of a 10-0 triumph.

But in his next start last Monday, the righthander struggled against the Los Angeles Dodgers, surrendering four runs and nine hits but not factoring in the decision of an important 11-10 victory.

The Pirates counter with Zach Duke (10-13, 4.49), who has been outstanding in his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA. In his last 23 innings, the lefthander has allowed two earned runs with 16 strikeouts and three walks.

The Padres inched closer to the National League West crown when Chris Young allowed only two runs in eight innings of a 6-2 victory over the Pirates on Friday. Young took a no-hitter into the ninth before Joe Randa spoiled the bid with a two-run homer.

San Diego, which is 13-7 in September, leads Los Angeles by one-half game in the NL West.