De La Cruz hits emotional HR after sister's death

CHICAGO -- Cincinnati Reds prima Elly De La Cruz played with a dense bosom Sunday aft learning of the decease of his older sister, but manager Terry Francona said the 23-year-old shortstop was insistent connected being successful the lineup.

De La Cruz deed a two-run homer and scored 2 runs successful Cincinnati's 7-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Francona said De La Cruz insisted helium wanted to play successful the finale of the play series, and the squad was going to enactment him.

After his towering location tally -- the 50th of his vocation -- De La Cruz patted his thorax arsenic helium took his last steps toward the plate, pointed to the entity and clapped.

After stepping connected the plate, helium made a bosom signifier with his hands.

"We attraction truthful overmuch astir playing a crippled and winning," Francona said, "but successful a hurry, you're reminded of what's truly important. So I deliberation everybody benignant of kept their caput connected a swivel with him today, conscionable trying to instrumentality attraction of him."

Family members confirmed to Z101 Digital successful the Dominican Republic that De La Cruz's sister Genelis died Saturday aft dealing with wellness problems for immoderate time.

De La Cruz declined to talk with reporters Sunday. The Reds besides declined to connection immoderate much details, citing De La Cruz's wishes.

"He takes truthful overmuch pridefulness successful being available," Francona said. "Guys similar that, Carlos Santana successful Cleveland was precise similar, and for a kid that's that young, that's an admirable trait."

De La Cruz singled successful the archetypal and flied retired successful the fourth. He connected for his 12th homer (estimated astatine 423 feet) successful the sixth and walked and scored connected Tyler Stephenson's sacrifice alert successful the ninth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.