Baltimore ? As a reward for guiding the Baltimore Orioles through the most tumultuous two-month stretch in franchise history, Sam Perlozzo had the “interim” label removed from his job title Wednesday and signed a three-contract as manager.

Perlozzo takes control of a team that has suffered through eight straight losing seasons, the longest such run since the Orioles moved from St. Louis in 1954.

“We’re going to go at it as hard as we can, and as long as we can, until we get a winner on this field,” he said, speaking within the warehouse that sits behind Baltimore’s home stadium. “I look for that to happen sooner than later.”

Perlozzo was promoted from bench coach to interim manager Aug. 4, taking over for Lee Mazzilli after the Orioles lost 16 of 18 to sink into fourth place in the AL East.

Perlozzo’s job went beyond filling out the lineup card, giving signs to base-runners and summoning pitchers from the bullpen. He also had to serve as the voice of the organization as the Orioles endured the steroid suspension of Rafael Palmeiro, the termination of the contract of pitcher Sidney Ponson after two drunk-driving arrests and injuries to Sammy Sosa and Brian Roberts. Perlozzo had a 23-32 record with the O’s.