Ryan Howard's sixth-inning two-run home run put his team on top to stay, and the Philadelphia Phillies (23-45) ended their losing streak at nine as they defeated the Baltimore Orioles (34-32) 2-1 Thursday afternoon.
In a game in which little else happened, all three runs scored on two home runs. Howard hit his two-run shot (12) in the top of the sixth with Ben Revere on first after a lead-off single (video). With one out and his team trailing 1-0, Howard lined a 1-2 fastball from Bud Norris into the right-field bleachers to put the Phillies ahead 2-1, which ended up the final score.
Baltimore got its lone run from Manny Machado, who hit a solo home run (14) to lead off the game.
Jake Diekman (W: 1-1, 6.45 ERA) picked up the win in relief as he pitched a perfect top of the sixth and benefited from Howard's blast. Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan had a very good outing as he pitched five innings, allowing one earned run (Machado's home run) on four hits. He walked two and struck out seven. Jonathan Papelbon (S: 13, 1.01) got all three men he faced in the ninth, including striking out pinch hitter Matt Wieters to end the game.
Norris (L: 2-5, 7.57) pitched well in taking the loss. In his six innings, he allowed two earned runs (Howard's two-run shot) on five hits while walking two and fanning two.
Baltimore wins the home-and-home series three games to one.
On Friday, the Orioles cross the northern border for a weekend series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Baltimore entered Thursday's action one game behind Toronto for third place in the A.L. East and three games off the pace.
The Phillies, meanwhile, return home to take on the Majors' best-record team, the St. Louis Cardinals. They will have to do so without Cole Hamels, who will miss Friday's start with a mild hamstring strain.