For 8 Tides, news of Baltimore call-up softens final loss

RICHMOND

Omir Santos received the news and couldn't believe it.

"You're serious?" Santos said. "You're sure?"

Norfolk manager Gary Allenson was. He had just informed the Tides catcher he had been added to the Baltimore Orioles' expanded roster. The synapses started firing in Santos' brain at that moment. He realized his season wouldn't end when the final out was recorded in Norfolk's final game. More importantly, he understood at long last he would make his major league debut.

"It's a feeling you can't even express," Santos, 27, said.

Santos will join seven other Tides in Baltimore for the season's final month. Starting pitcher Garrett Olson, first baseman Oscar Salazar, infielder Brandon Fahey, and relievers Kam Mickolio, Jim Miller and Bob McCrory were promoted. Later in the day, starting pitcher Alfredo Simon, who had his contract purchased from the Mexican League on Monday and threw four-plus innings in the Tides' 9-3 loss to Richmond, learned he was on his way to Camden Yards as well.

"Being there, you sometimes feel like, 'What am I doing here?' " said Fahey, who has had stints with the Orioles the last three seasons. "But there's a great group of guys up there. They treat you well and take care of you. The first time I was up there I was a little jittery. I still am sometimes."

Mickolio knows the feeling. He admits he was a ball of nerves when he spent seven days in Baltimore in late August. That's why he is excited about the latest opportunity.

"There's no preparation for what happens up there," said Mickolio, who made his first appearance against Boston and allowed three hits and one run in an inning. "There's no way of telling someone that 50,000 fans will be screaming."

Mickolio expects his stay in Baltimore will be smoother this time. Not only does he know his teammates, he understands the routine and the challenges. Plus, he will be sharing the experience with several players who are as green as he is.

"It's a little more comfortable," he said. "But we're still the new guys so we're not going to get too comfortable."

As Mickolio and McCrory played catch before Monday's game, Allenson filled out his lineup card for the final time this season. He has watched 17 players pass through Norfolk before going to Baltimore this year.

It's a stunning number, but Allenson waves his hand as if to dismiss it.

"That's our primary job - to develop players to move up to the bigs," he said. "It's an opportunity for them to get their foot in the door."

Whether they make the most of it is another story.

"It's definitely a big chance," McCrory said.

And it's one none of the lucky eight wants to mess up.