Drew’s homer steals spotlight from Peavy

Jake Peavy was nearly unhittable Wednesday night. And for three innings, he was untouchable.

San Diego’s ace fell one short of Tom Seaver’s major league record of 10 consecutive strikeouts and fanned 16 batters in seven innings before Stephen Drew’s two-out, two-run home run in the ninth gave the Arizona Diamondbacks a 3-2 victory over the Padres Wednesday night in Arizona.

Peavy struck out the side in the second, third and fourth innings and had thrown 117 pitches when he was relieved by Scott Linebrink to open the eighth with San Diego leading, 2-0. The strikeout record for a nine-inning game is 20, shared by Roger Clemens (twice) and Kerry Wood.

Peavy’s streak ended when he walked Eric Byrnes on a 3-2 pitch after a check swing call.

“I knew I struck out quite a few in a row,” Peavy said. “I’m just trying to get outs. Records are the last thing from your mind.”

With San Diego ahead, 2-0, pinch-hitter Miguel Montero homered off Linebrink in the eighth. Trevor Hoffman relieved to start the ninth, walked Chad Tracy with one out, then allowed Drew’s homer on a 3-1 pitch.

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Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, who had shoulder surgery on Tuesday, will miss the season. Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry said Prior should be able to resume his career.