HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE:
Howard, in the second season of a five-year, $125 million contract, is batting .268 overall with 10 homers and 41 RBIs - including a current 0 for 16 drought that includes eight strikeouts. In Thursday night's series-opening 6-4 loss, he grounded into an inning-ending double play on a 3-0 pitch. ''Right now he's uncomfortable and he's not seeing (lefties) good,'' said Manuel, who met privately with Howard and hitting coaches Wally Joyner and Steve Henderson. ''It's just a matter of him getting his swing back and getting in a good groove. So we're going to do some drills with him, do some work with his hitting and also give him some time - let him sit down and kind of clear his head and we'll where he goes. And he's fine with it.''