Philadelphia 3, Detroit 2

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- Ryan Howard hit his spring training-leading seventh home run, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Monday.

Howard connected in the second inning off Justin Verlander, and Chris Roberson hit a two-run double in the eighth against Bobby Seay.

Philadelphia sent scheduled starter Jon Lieber to its minor league complex to do his work and instead started Ricardo Rodriguez, a 27-year-old right-hander acquired from Texas during the offseason. Rodriguez allowed two runs and five hits in four innings.

"I was happy to hear I was starting," Rodriguez said. "I want to show what I can do."

Manager Charlie Manuel was pleased with Rodriguez's effort.

"He has a good arm," Manuel said. "I want to take a good look at him. His command is the big thing. If he learns to be better around the corners, it could push him over the hump."

Howard's home run was the only hit allowed by Verlander, the No. 2 pick overall in the 2004 amateur draft. The 22-year-old right-hander, attempting to win the No. 5 spot in the Tigers' starting rotation, walked four in three innings.

Detroit had 13 hits, including four by Josh Phelps and three each by Reggie Taylor and Curtis Granderson.

Game notes
Manuel arrived at the ballpark in the fifth inning after attending Kirby Puckett's funeral Sunday in Minneapolis. ... Closer Tom Gordon (stiff elbow) is to pitch in a minor league game Tuesday.