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Part-timer Howard's focus on present, not future

He's now a part-time player, facing only right-handed pitching. In his 13th season, all with the Phils, he's a .219 lifetime hitter against lefties. Last year it was .130 with three of his 23 homers and 10 of his 77 RBIs. Manager Pete Mackanin saw enough.

"He's not going to face lefties, occasionally here and there," Mackanin said before Sunday's finale of a three-game series against the Mets at Citi Field. "I think that's going to help all the way around. Last year, he really wasn't very good against lefties. The fact he won't have to worry about them is going to make him even more productive against right-handers.