PHILADELPHIA -- Back in his favorite role, Kyle Kendrick pitched like he belonged.

Kendrick and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, Ryan Howard homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 Saturday night.

Kendrick (2-2) allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three in five innings. He filled in for Roy Oswalt, who went on the disabled list Friday with lower back inflammation.

"I love starting," Kendrick said. "It's nice to go out there and help the team win. I got early outs, stayed out of trouble and pitched as deep as I could."

Julio Teheran (0-1) gave up three runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings in his major league debut. The Braves called up their top pitching prospect because they needed a spot starter after playing a doubleheader Wednesday.

Kendrick, a former starter pitching out of the bullpen this season, left after 69 pitches. J.C. Romero and Michael Stutes each allowed one hit in one inning. Antonio Bastardo worked a hitless eighth and Ryan Madson finished for his third save in three tries.

"His fastball was sinking good, he moved the ball in and out and he didn't throw the ball high," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said of Kendrick.

One night after wasting Cliff Lee's 16-strikeout performance in a 5-0 loss, the Phillies got runs in the second, fourth and fifth off Teheran.

Ben Francisco walked leading off the Philadelphia second. He advanced to third on Brian Schneider's one-out single and scored on Pete Orr's groundout to second.

Howard hit a towering shot into the right-center seats to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the fourth. He moved into second place on Philadelphia's career list with his 260th homer, passing Del Ennis. Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt is first with 548.

"It's a great accomplishment," Howard said. "I've been blessed to do what I've been able to do."

Jimmy Rollins walked with two outs in the fifth, stole second and scored on Shane Victorino's triple to deep center for a 3-0 lead.

Teheran is headed back to the minors after his cameo with the big club. The 20-year-old right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this year. He has 25 strikeouts and has limited opponents to a .118 batting average.

"I thought he did a good job," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I didn't see any deer-in-the-headlights look. It was nice to see. We thought this guy could handle it and be better for it. He did great."

Notes

• Atlanta RHP Derek Lowe is hopeful he can make his next start despite a blister on his right foot that bothered him during Friday night's start in which he took a no-hitter into the seventh.
• Manuel expects RHP Joe Blanton to start Monday. Blanton is on the disabled list with an elbow injury.
• LF Martin Prado made a sensational, diving catch running to his right on the warning track to rob Victorino of extra bases in the eighth.
• A crowd of 45,609 was the 155th straight sellout at Citizens Bank Park, including postseason play.
• Placido Polanco has reached safely in 24 straight and 31 of Philadelphia's 32 games.