Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz performed with a heavy coronary heart on Sunday. That’s what he needed to do after studying of the dying 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. Supervisor Terry Francona mentioned the 23-year-old shortstop insisted he needed to play within the finale of the weekend sequence, and the workforce was going to help him.
“He takes a lot delight in being obtainable,” Francona mentioned. “Guys like that, Carlos Santana in Cleveland was very related, and for a child that’s that younger, that’s an admirable trait.”
Elly De La Cruz selected to play as we speak after just lately studying concerning the dying of his sister.
He then hit this residence run and pointed to the sky and made a coronary heart gesture. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/gGK1ukAWhC
— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2025
Z101 Digital within the Dominican Republic reported that Genelis died Saturday after coping with well being issues for a while.
De La Cruz declined to talk with the media. The Reds additionally declined to supply any particulars on the scenario, citing De La Cruz’s needs.
“We care a lot about taking part in a sport and successful, however in a rush you’re reminded of what’s actually essential,” Francona mentioned. “So I believe all people type of saved their head on a swivel with him as we speak, simply attempting to handle him.”
De La Cruz singled within the first and flied out within the fourth. He related for his twelfth homer within the sixth and walked and scored on Tyler Stephenson’s sacrifice fly within the ninth.
De La Cruz’s fiftieth profession homer was a towering drive down the road in proper. The estimated distance was 423 ft with an exit velocity of 117.4 mph.
As he took his ultimate steps towards the plate, De La Cruz patted his chest, pointed to the sky and clapped. After touching residence, he made a coronary heart together with his arms.
The suitable fielder jammed his proper ring finger on a stolen-base try within the first inning Sunday. His availability was described as day-to-day.
Swanson beat out a grounder for an infield hit that drove in a late insurance coverage run within the Cubs’ 2-0 win.
