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Reds' Elly De La Cruz homers against Cubs after learning of the death of his sister

Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz played with a heavy heart on Sunday. That’s what he wanted to do after learning of the death of his sister, Genelis.

De La Cruz hit a two-run homer and scored two runs in Cincinnati’s 7-3 loss to the Cubs. Manager Terry Francona said the 23-year-old shortstop insisted he wanted to play in the finale of the weekend series, and the team was going to support him.

“He takes so much pride in being available,” Francona said. “Guys like that, Carlos Santana in Cleveland was very similar, and for a kid that’s that young, that’s an admirable trait.