As San Diego continues to roll in the N.L. West with a series blitz of the Giants, it?s apparent the Padre pitching staff has become a titanic force in their surge. And at the head of the charge is Jacob Edward Peavey, a young dynamo celebrating just his 24th birthday on the 31st of May. He appears to be coming of age in lots of ways. In spinning a nifty 2-hitter against Arizona last week, he threw only 94 pitches, sticking 65 of them in the zone. Along with Adam Eaton (7-1), Peavey pilots a formidable double-punch behemoth in that starting rotation ? one that should be around and winning for a long while. "It's very satisfying," he said, looking completely satisfied. Last year, he led the majors with a 2.27 ERA, and went 15-6. He also struck out 173 batters in 166 innings. This season he has started on fire (5-0, 2.00). There is no disputing he is presently one of the premier pitchers in baseball. He is what is known as one tough hombre. Or cookie, if you prefer. ?It's gratifying as any win I've had,? Peavy said. ?It put us in first place, gave the bullpen a break and allows us to have a nice easy flight to San Fran.? Cool, as long as he doesn?t say ?Frisco?. They hate that. Jake was originally selected by San Diego in the 15th round (472nd overall) of the 1999 amateur entry draft. He never played college baseball, or reached the AAA level. His minor league totals reflect a record of 35-21, an ERA of 2.60, and 548 strikeouts in 436 innings. Highly touted? Umm? think so. He has been compared to individuals like Mark Prior and Greg Maddux ? seriously high praise. Ironically, he will be linked forever to Barry Bonds and a home run. His arm lit the fuse that launched rocket number 700 into orbit. Born in Mobile, Alabama, he still maintains an off-season home there with his family. They share oodles of quiet time together, hunting and fishing. But he?s happy not to be pitching in the likes of the sweltering heat of Mobile. Is it more comfortable in San Diego? ?You know it,? Jake laughs. ?There is no question about it.? To have a chance against the Padres, you?d better get the starter out of there early -- say, before the seventh inning. Otherwise, you face the likes of Rudy Seanez (3.04), Scott Linebrink (2.28), and Trevor Hoffman (2.89, 16 saves) cleaning things up. When Peavey starts, a victory over San Diego is a scary, if not improbable, proposition. ?I get the ball and I am back up there ready to go,? he said. ?I think my boys play better behind me when I am working fast, and it keeps the hitters off balance.? He was obviously referring to his posse. San Diego has fashioned a streak of 10 consecutive errorless games, which is a new franchise record. The Padres have now won 20 of their last 25. As Paris Hilton would say? ?That?s Hot?. And so is Peavey. ?What was impressive was that Jake knew the boys in the bullpen (after a 12-11 loss the night before) need a rest,? manager Bruce Bochy chimed in. See. There?s that posse reference again.