Phillies 2, Astros 1 (15): Ryan Howard delivered the game-winning single in the 15th inning as host Philadelphia edged Houston in the opener of their three-game series.

Grady Sizemore opened the decisive frame with a single against Jake Buchanan (1-2), who was in his fourth inning of relief, and advanced on a sacrifice by Ben Revere. Three batters later, Howard bounced a single through the overshift and Sizemore scampered home to make a winner of Hector Neris (1-0), who worked a 1-2-3 frame in his major-league debut.

Kyle Kendrick worked the first seven innings for the Phillies, allowing one run and five hits before the bullpen logged eight scoreless frames. Dallas Keuchel started for the Astros and also gave up one run and five hits over seven innings.

Philadelphia got on the board first on Howard's 17th homer - a lofted shot to center field in the bottom of the second. Jon Singleton's line-drive RBI single to center in the seventh tied the contest, but Kendrick induced a double play with runners on the corners to avoid further damage.

The Phillies put two runners on in the eighth against reliever Tony Sipp, but Howard's double play ended the threat. Jonathan Papelbon issued a pair of walks in the ninth before striking out Matt Dominguez to put out the fire, and the bullpens traded zeroes throughout most of the extra innings - with neither team mounting much of a threat until Howard's game-winning hit.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Howard entered 1-for-25 over his previous seven games. The home run was just his second since the All-Star break. ...Kendrick retired the first 10 hitters he faced before Robbie Grossman's single in the fourth. Grossman was caught stealing to end the frame. ... Phillies LHP Antonio Bastardo struck out six batters in two innings of relief.