I know nobody comes here on the weekends, but I just have to give our boy some props. Jake Peavy joins Randy Jones as the only Padres ever to lead the league in ERA. Congratulations.

7:39 PM: Padres eliminated from playoff contention with Astros’ 4-2 victory over Colorado.

7:44 PM: Jake Peavy records his fifth out of the game to reach the requisite 162 innings needed to qualify for ERA title.

8:49 PM: Peavy is lifted for a pinch hitter after allowing two runs in six innings to lead the NL in ERA. Peavy ties a career high with 11 punchouts. The pinch hitter, Miguel Ojeda, drives a two-run homer to dead center to give Peavy a 3-2 lead.

9:28 PM: Trevor Hoffman retires Chris Snyder on a sharp liner to end the game with a runner on third. Hoffman’s 41st save of the season preserves Peavy’s 15th win.

Peavy’s stint on the DL back in May and June probably cost him a shot at the Cy Young Award. For grins, here is how he stacks up qualitatively against the top contenders:

                IP  ERA  H/9 HR/9 BB/9  SO/9
Peavy,Ja     166.1 2.27 7.90 0.70 2.87  9.36
Zambrano,Ca  204.0 2.60 7.28 0.57 3.53  8.07
Johnson,Ra   237.2 2.65 6.32 0.64 1.67 10.68
Sheets,Be    228.0 2.80 7.62 0.99 1.22  9.99
Clemens,Ro   214.1 2.98 7.10 0.63 3.32  9.15
Pavano,Ca    222.1 3.00 8.58 0.65 1.98  5.63
Schmidt,Ja   219.0 3.29 6.70 0.74 3.08  9.95
Oswalt,Ro    230.0 3.56 8.92 0.63 2.43  7.83

A lot of worthy contenders; we’ll leave others to sort this one out. But aside from the innings, Peavy is right there with the best of ‘em. Give him seven more starts, and he’s got 18-20 wins.

No worries, this won’t be the last time he’s in contention for that award. Meantime, Peavy has the NL ERA title. Pretty sweet…