Fans looked at the homer one of two ways:

It is a sign that Howard is feeling a little more comfortable at the plate.

It is just one at-bat.

Time will tell. Howard went 1 for 4 with a walk and two strikeouts in the Phillies' 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which guaranteed them their first series victory in Pittsburgh since 2001. It also ensured that this will be the Phillies' first April without a losing record since 2003, when they were 16-12.

"It felt pretty good today," Howard said. "I felt a little better at the plate - seeing pitches, running the count a little bit deep. But all in all, I'll take the home run.

"A lot of it can be a snowball effect, good or bad. All it takes is one day and just trying to take something positive from each day, just keep putting it together and letting it roll."

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Howard "stayed on the ball better."

"The home run was a little close to him," the manager said. "That's what he needs to do. He needs to let the ball get close to him. . . . He'll get it. He's coming."

The Phillies, who have won six of seven to improve to 14-11, have three games remaining in April. They are a half-game behind the Florida Marlins for first place in the National League East.

Howard entered the night hitting just .174 with four homers, nine RBIs and 35 strikeouts in 86 at-bats. Those numbers persuaded Manuel to keep him out of the starting lineup Thursday against Milwaukee and Friday against Pittsburgh to clear his mind.

Howard pinch-hit in both those games and went a combined 0 for 3 with three strikeouts.

But Manuel couldn't keep Howard out of the lineup tonight.

Not against Pirates righthander Matt Morris, who has been serving fat pitches all season. The Phils scored five runs in the first inning and another run in the second to take a 6-0 lead before Pirates manager John Russell mercifully pulled Morris.

The Phillies' offense quieted from that point, but righthander Kyle Kendrick kept the Pirates at bay.

In seven-plus innings, Kendrick allowed seven hits, four runs (three earned runs) and no walks. He struck out two.

Kendrick (2-2) started the eighth inning for the first time in his big-league career, but after he allowed a home run to Nate McLouth and a single to Freddy Sanchez with no outs, Manuel pulled him for Rudy Seanez.

It was Kendrick's second quality start in his last three starts.

That's a good sign for the Phillies, who need good pitching.

They need good hitting, too.

They need Howard to get going. They hope tonight was the start of something good.