BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
BRISTOL, Va. – To most players, it would have been just another groundout. To Orlando Santos, it was an opportunity.
The hustle displayed by Santos on a routine late-game groundout Wednesday is one reason why the 21-year-old Bristol White Sox catcher has already become a favorite at DeVault Field.
“I always give 100 percent in each game,” said Santos, speaking through an interpreter. “The fans give me strength and motivation to keep working hard.”
Santos contributed two doubles and drove in a run as Bristol stopped the Johnson City Cardinals by an 8-5 margin Wednesday.
For the second straight night, Bristol compiled 12 hits against a variety of pitchers. Santos supplied two hits and scored two runs in Tuesday’s loss.
“Hitting is my strongpoint, and I’m working on my defense,” Santos said. “I’ve got a good arm, but I’m still working on it.”
What the 6-foot, 194-pound Santos lacks in speed and size, he makes up for with devotion. Santos, who is from Santiago in the Dominican Republic, is one of several players who spent last summer in Bristol.
“I learned a lot last year, and I worked hard during spring training in Tucson,” Santos said. “That’s all helping now.”
The Brisox fell behind 4-0 in the fourth inning, then rallied in dramatic fashion in the seventh.
Juan Silverio, a smooth-fielding 6 foot 2 shortstop, steered a two-run homer over the right field fence. The next batter, designed hitter Jose Vargas, launched a homer in nearly the exact same place.
Leadoff batter Andrew Garcia and 6-5 Misael Tavarez each added two hits for Bristol, while reliever Murilo Gouvea earned the win.
Bristol closes the series with Johnson City this evening on YMCA and Kids Night. A blood drive will be held before the game in the parking lot.
Johnson City 020 200 001–5 8 0
Bristol 000 113 30x–8 12 1
Blazek, Freeman (5), Gonzalez (6), Maertz (7), Frevert (8) and Cawley. Paniagua, Gouvea (6), Doyle (9) and Santos. W-Gouvea (1-0). L-Gonzalez (0-1). HR-Silverio (B) 7th, one on; Vargas (B) B, 7th none on.
agregory@bristolnews.com (276) 645-2544.
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