ST. LOUIS -- Two days after losing his childhood friend, Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, in a boating accident, Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz hit the first grand slam of his career in his team's crucial 12-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
"It's amazing, you know," Diaz said. "To come back and hit that grand slam, I can't explain that. I'm very grateful."
After getting the ritual splash of water to the face from Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez, Diaz emerged to acknowledge a curtain call from the relatively small crowd -- announced as 34,286 -- at Busch Stadium that nonetheless was roaring its approval.