Mora Talks Might End On Friday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 26 -- Baltimore Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora said he has targeted Friday as the final day he will speak to the team about a contract extension. Mora, a free agent after this season, said he has spoken to owner Peter Angelos and the two have agreed to talk at length one final time before negotiations are shelved.

Mora is believed to be asking for a contract that will pay him $10 million annually. The Orioles have scoffed at such a deal, though Baltimore does not have a successor at third base should Mora bolt after the season.

Mora, 34, does not want contract talks to drag into the season because he feels they could become a distraction.

Perlozzo Angry

After yet another sloppy loss in the exhibition season, this time an 8-0 thrashing by the New York Mets in which Baltimore committed four errors, Orioles Manager Sam Perlozzo lashed out at his team to reporters.

"You can't keep just running out there and think things are going to turn around for you," Perlozzo said. "That's not the way the game is played. You have to have some confidence going into the season opener. We need some guys to tighten up their games and play the way they're capable of playing."

Though he did not single out any particular player, Perlozzo said some on the team have mistakenly taken this spring for granted.

"There's guys out there that think they have the team made and if that was the case I would have told you guys that," Perlozzo said. "I'm not happy with that. If these people aren't going to step up they are making a big mistake."

Several players said Perlozzo never addressed the team about the mistakes after he talked to reporters.

New York State of Mind

It has taken only a few weeks for former Orioles closer Jorge Julio to become enamored of being a member of the Mets.

"I didn't have the support in Baltimore I have here," Julio said. "One of the things I like here is that they take care of their players."

After five seasons with the Orioles, three as the closer, Julio was traded for Kris Benson.

"It was one of the best surprises I've ever had," Julio said of the trade. "The Orioles didn't give me an opportunity after I had three strong years as a closer."

Julio saved 83 games for the Orioles but last year he struggled as a setup man and finished with a 5.90 ERA.

"Mentally I wasn't always 100 percent prepared last year," Julio said. "They played with me and took my concentration away. I thought that would change when [former manager Lee] Mazzilli left the team. I thought I'd have a role. But I never got a role after that."

This spring with the Mets, Julio has not allowed a run in five innings.

"I like it here because they give me the ball no matter what happens," Julio said.

Calzado Sidelined Outfielder Napoleon Calzado, who likely is slated for Class AAA Ottawa, is out indefinitely with a left knee infection. Up Next vs. Florida in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., today, 1