Rafael

Palmeiro

It was the first time since 1992 that Palmeiro hit lower than sixth in a game. The switch didn’t really help as the 40-year-old first baseman went 0-for-3 in Baltimore’s 4-3 loss to Oakland last night. He has hit only one home run since the All-Star break, and has knocked in only one run in the past 2 1/2 weeks.

However, Baltimore manager Lee Mazzilli believes Palmeiro will be able to start at DH tonight.

He hit his 200th homer as an Oriole Monday night to go along with the 200 plus he has as a Ranger. Jimmie Foxx (Philadelphia and Boston) and Mark McGwire (Oakland and St.Louis) are the only other players to have accomplished this feat. Palmeiro, who was Baltimore’s DH last night against LHP Ted Lilly, will most certainly be a free agent at the end of the season. He will likley not play 17 of the Orioles’ last 19 games at first base to activate a 2005 option.

He hit a game-tying, pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning off Boston closer Keith Foulke that sent the contest into extra innings. Palmeiro could be back in the starting lineup as the Baltimore DH as early as tonight against Red Sox right-hander Derek Lowe.

Palmeiro needs to play 18 of the Orioles’ last 21 games at first base to activate a 2005 option, and at his current pace, he is not going to make it. He is not pleased with the Orioles’ tactics, and will likely sign on elsewhere for 2005 even if Baltimore management asks him to return at a reduced rate of pay.

Palmeiro likely won’t be interested as he is not happy about how his playing time has been handled this season. Last night he started as the team’s designated hitter and with 14 games left it is now impossible for Palmeiro to play the 15 games he needs at first to activate his 2005, $4.5 million option. He did tweak his tender hamstring last night and may not be in the lineup at all today.

Pamleiro, who went 0-for-4 with a strikeout yesterday, has been hitting well over his last six games (.435) and is pushing for playing time at first base. He needs to play only 19 of Baltimore’s last 26 games at first base for his $4.5 million option to kick in. It’s going to be close.

Manager Lee Mazzilli stopped short of saying he would continue to sit Palmeiro against left-handers. Asked whether last night’s change was permanent, he said: “I don’t know what permanent means. We’ll just see how it goes. We have options.” Baltimore has lost 11 straight, so Mazzilli may just be tinkering for the time being, but nevertheless don’t expect Palmeiro in the Orioles lineup everyday in September.

The 40-year-old veteran is hitting .184 against left-handed pitching, so Jose Leon started in his place. Manager Lee Mazzilli could sit Palmeiro against lefties from here on in. If he does, then Raffy may have trouble playing in the 140 games necessary to have a $4.5 million option for next season vest in his contract. He needs to play defense in 24 of the Orioles’ last 36 games for the option to kick in.

Palmeiro has flu-like symptoms, but was able to convince manager Buck Showalter at the last minute that he could play. With Palmeiro staying in the lineup, Hank Blalock was able to make his first career start at second base.