PHILADELPHIA -- Jeff Francoeur's three-run homer in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as the Philadelphia Phillies topped the Boston Red Sox 4-2 on Wednesday night.

The Phillies failed to score in the first 14 innings of the season after they were shut out by the Red Sox on Monday in the season opener.

Francoeur changed all that with one swing.

The long ball came after left fielder Darin Ruf walked and third baseman Cody Asche singled to put two runners on base for the second time against Boston right-hander Rick Porcello.

It was the first homer in the major leagues by Francoeur since June 16, 2013, for the Kansas City Royals.

Francoeur's swing was all the offense the Phillies needed to back a strong debut from starting pitcher Aaron Harang.

Harang (1-0, 0.00), pitching for his seventh team in the last six years, retired the first 11 batters before Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval singled with two outs in the fourth inning. The right-hander worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings.

Harang departed with two men on in the seventh, but right-hander Jeanmar Gomez got Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli to line into a double play to end the threat.

Porcello (0-1, 4.50 ERA) gave up three runs in six innings.

The Phillies tacked on a run in the seventh inning. Center fielder Ben Revere got to third base thanks to a throwing error by Sandoval at third and scored two batters later thanks to a sacrifice fly from second baseman Chase Utley.

Boston scored both of its runs in the top of the eighth off Phillies reliever Ken Giles, including a two-out, bases-loaded walk by Sandoval. Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon was able to get out of trouble, getting outfielder Hanley Ramirez to fly out deep to center, and closed out the ninth for his first save of the season.

The teams will play the rubber game of the season-opening series on Thursday, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

NOTES: The Red Sox took the opening game of the series (and the season) with an 8-0 win over the Phillies on Monday, hitting five home runs, including a grand slam by OF Hanley Ramirez in the ninth inning. ...Phillies OF Odubel Herrera was held out of the game after hitting a foul pitch off his foot on opening day. He’s day-to-day. ...Phillies OF Darin Ruf was given his first start of the season in left field after not appearing in the opener. He started 25 games in 2014, including 13 in left field and 12 at first base.