With the Phillies falling to 37-50 heading into the all-star break, Charlie Manuel is facing scrutiny concerning his ability to manage the team.
Manuel, who has guided the Phillies to five consecutive division championships, said Sunday that he is not worried, even with the Phillies sitting 14 games out of first place in the National League East.
"I've got a lot of confidence in myself," he said. "I am a fighter. And not only that, I think I'm a winner.
"I think if you go back and look at my baseball career, you might see my .200 batting average in the big leagues and things like that. But if you look and see where I've been and all the places that I've stopped and the teams I've played on and all the times I've been in the playoffs . . . I've been a winner ever since I got into the game."
Manuel said his team hasn't been slacking off during its recent struggles.
The Phillies aren't lazy, he said. They just aren't playing well. And when you aren't playing well, every element of your game is under the microscope.
"When you're not hitting the ball, you look tired," Manuel said. "You look lethargic. You look like [you have] no energy. Things like that. The game just kind of drifts along."
Second baseman Chase Utley played in three consecutive games this weekend for the first time this season after rehabilitating his ailing knees. . . . First baseman Ryan Howard, back from Achilles rehab, batted 2 for 8 in two games this weekend. . . . The Phillies are a combined 12 for their last 65 (.185) with runners in scoring position, including an 0-for-3 effort Sunday.
Contact Tyler Jett at 215-854-4550 or tjett@philly.com.
