PHILADELPHIA — Brock Holt took advantage of a rare opportunity.

Holt belted a pinch-hit tie-breaking homer, Rick Porcello threw seven impressive innings and the major league-leading Boston Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 Tuesday night.

Sandy Leon also went deep for Boston, which improved to 86-35. The Red Sox increased their total to 168 homers, matching their number from last year when they hit an AL-low 168.

Porcello (15-5) gave up one run and two hits, striking out 10. He tied Max Scherzer and Luis Severino for most wins in the majors.

Rhys Hoskins homered, but the Phillies wasted a solid outing from Nick Pivetta. He allowed one run and three hits in six innings.

Holt hit the first pitch he saw from Tommy Hunter (3-2) in the eighth off the video screen on the facing of the second deck in right field.

Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said Holt wouldn’t have been used in that spot in an American League ballpark because he wouldn’t have removed Porcello after only 90 pitches.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to pinch hit in the AL so I was in the cage, taking flips, staying loose, trying to stay more ready than normal,” Holt said. “Just wanted to be ready for a good pitch to hit. Pinch hitting is a tough job.”

Heath Hembree tossed a perfect eighth, striking out Odubel Herrera swinging at a pitch that hit his left foot. Craig Kimbrel finished the two-hitter for his 36th save in 40 chances. He’s 41 for 41 in interleague games in his career.

Leon gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead in the third. The least dangerous hitter in Boston’s lineup sent a 95 mph fastball into the seats in right-center for his fifth homer.

Porcello followed with a liner over right fielder Nick Williams’ head and slid headfirst into second base for his second career extra-base hit.

“I got lucky,” Porcello said.

Cora was afraid Porcello might get hurt when he saw him start to dive.

“That slide was horrible,” Cora said. “He was ready to hit. He’s a good athlete, he competes.”

Porcello retired his first 12 batters before Hoskins drove his 23rd homer out to left in the fifth.

The Phillies have lost 5 of 7 to fall into second place in the NL East behind Atlanta.

“I don’t see us pressing,” Manager Gabe Kapler said. “I see us competing and staying in the game to the end. We lost to one of the best teams in baseball.”

NOTES: The Red Sox have won 20 of their last 23 interleague games. … C Blake Swihart was activated from the disabled list and C Dan Butler was designated for assignment. … 2B Ian Kinsler could return Wednesday from a strained left hamstring.