With his heart still heavy heart, Diaz then went out and delivered one of the biggest hits of the Cardinals' season in a 12-5 victory over Cincinnati.
Diaz blasted his first career grand slam to put the Cardinals ahead, 5-2, in the fourth inning. It gave St. Louis, which entered the day one game back of the Giants for the second National League Wild Card spot, its first lead since Saturday.
Diaz lifted his arms to the sky as he reached home and stopped to embrace teammates Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright before returning to the dugout.