Reeling Orioles Dismiss Mazzilli

The Baltimore Orioles fired Manager Lee Mazzilli on Thursday with the team mired in an eight-game losing streak and still reeling from Rafael Palmeiro’s positive drug test.

The Orioles made bench coach Sam Perlozzo the interim manager for the rest of the season. The announcement was made two hours before Thursday’s game against the Angels.

The Orioles are 52-56 and 10 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the American League East.

The Orioles finished 78-84 in 2004, Mazzilli’s first season, and got off a fast start this year. On April 23, they moved into first place, ahead of the Red Sox and New York Yankees.

The Orioles stayed on top through June 23. They were in second place, one game behind, on July 15.

But from July 16 through Wednesday, the Orioles lost 16 of 18 to fall into fourth place.

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Barry Bonds remains “optimistic” about playing this season, though he has no idea if his ailing knee will allow it.

The San Francisco Giant slugger took a slightly more upbeat approach in a posting on his website, three days after saying he didn’t expect to resume his quest for the home run record until 2006 because of his troublesome right knee.

Giant Manager Felipe Alou said he hasn’t had any contact with Bonds, though the team said General Manager Brian Sabean had been in touch with physical therapist Clive Brewster, who is working with Bonds in Los Angeles with Angel orthopedist Lewis Yocum.

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The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of right-hander Steve Karsay from double-A Frisco and designated left-hander Ron Mahay for assignment.

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Short stay

Lee Mazzilli’s career as Baltimore Oriole manager:

*--* YEAR W L PCT. STAND. 2004 78 84 481 3rd ALE 2005 51 56 477 4th ALE Total 129 140 480 --

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