Salisbury: Manuel airs out Phils after loss to lowly Astros

Leapin’ Lamabe’s! Have the Astros officially changed their name to Lowly Astros?

Manuel had strong words for his team during a clubhouse meeting after it played another sloppy game in a 5-2 loss to the lowly Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

“We had a little talk,” Manuel admitted. “Not a big talk.”

The message:

“Just be more alert and play the game how we can,” he said.

Manuel was soft-selling the meeting. Word from the clubhouse was he rattled some cages pretty soundly.

...Afterward, he acknowledged that the Phils haven’t played with their usual zip against the lowly Astros.

“We’re human,” he said. “It’s a grind. You just have to grind your way through it. They’re playing with a lot of motivation and we’re not taking it as serious.”