Ryan Howard hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies over the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Thursday last night. Tom Gordon (3-2) pitched a perfect eighth and Brad Lidge retired the side in the ninth for his seventh save in as many chances. Lidge hasn't allowed an earned run in 12 innings this season.
Phillies starter Adam Eaton and four relievers held the Padres hitless after Kevin Kouzmanoff's two-out single in the third. The slumping Howard connected off Joe Thatcher (0-3) leading off the eighth, driving one into the right-field seats. The 2006 NL MVP also had an RBI double against starter Randy Wolf. Howard is batting just .184 with six homers and 14 RBIs. (More Philadelphia Phillies stories.)