After interviewing 12 managerial candidates, the Seattle Mariners trimmed to the final four yesterday, and Orioles bench coach Sam Perlozzo made the cut.

Mariners general manager Pat Gillick said Perlozzo, Jim Riggleman, Bob Melvin and Buddy Bell will all be invited back for second interviews next week. He didn't close the door on San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker as a possibility.

"I wouldn't say [the four finalists] are etched in stone," Gillick said. "But one of these four might be our manager."

Perlozzo coached third base for the Mariners from 1993 to 1995, and he interviewed for the Orioles' managing job before they hired Mike Hargrove.

He had his first interview with Seattle on Friday.

"With the quality of people they brought in, and the fact they brought in 12, to make the last four, I'm flattered," said Perlozzo, 51. "I went in, like I go into any interview. I was truthful and honest. I was myself, and if that's good enough, that's good enough."