CLEARWATER, Fla. – Ryan Howard hit his first home run of spring training, an opposite-field drive to left off All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel that helped the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 10-5 Thursday.
Howard put the Phillies ahead with an RBI double in the first against loser Paul Maholm. Howard, who didn't play until July last year while recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon, has started all six of Philadelphia's exhibition games this year and is 8 for 15 (.533) with three doubles and a homer.
Every position player in the Phillies' starting lineup had a hit except for Jimmy Rollins. Howard, Chase Utley and Ben Revere all went 2 for 3, and John Mayberry Jr. homered against Cristhian Martínez in the sixth.
In his second start, Cole Hamels allowed one run — unearned — and four hits in three innings. Hamels struck out four of his first seven batters and finished with five strikeouts and no walks.
Maholm gave up five runs, six hits and two walks in 2 2-3 innings.
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