"The statistics made it an obvious choice for Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.

Ryan Howard was 2-for-25 since the All-Star break. He was 0-for-8 with eight strikeouts and a walk against Padres starter Mat Latos.

So Howard wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday for just the second time this season. John Mayberry Jr., who hasn't started at first base since he was at Stanford University, replaced him.

Before the game, Manuel said he wanted Howard to work in the batting cage.

It paid off.

Howard pinch hit for Mayberry in the seventh inning, and hit the first pitch from Chad Qualls over the fence in left-center to tie the game at 4.

It was the sixth pinch-hit homer of his career.

"I was just working on some stuff," Howard said. "I felt a lot better. I was able to kind of slow it down a little. I think one of things is that it's been so quick. I was just trying to get the ball, but I hadn't really given myself a chance to see it."

The decision to hit for Mayberry was a bit of gamesmanship on Manuel's part. The Padres brought in Qualls, a righty, to face Mayberry to start the inning. The pitcher's spot was due up next, and Manuel figured San Diego would bring in a lefty if he used Howard there.

"That was one reason," Manuel said. "I had a feeling he would do something good."

Mayberry, meanwhile, made two nice scoops at first base. He had played first for a few innings twice this season, and he fields grounders there during batting practice."