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Fernandez's childhood friend Diaz blasts 1st career grand slam

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Aledmys Diaz honored his childhood friend in the best way he knew how Tuesday night, launching his first career grand slam in his first game back since visiting the bereaved family of his late buddy Jose Fernandez.

"Yesterday when I got there, his mom and grandma, I can't describe that moment," Diaz told MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. "They look at me like a son. I'm just thankful that the organization let me go down there and share that moment with the family. I think they really appreciated that. I think of him like a brother. The least I could do was go down there and be with his family."

In his second at-bat following the emotional visit, Diaz - who grew up a few houses down from Fernandez in Cuba - did something special for his fallen "brother," launching a fourth-inning grand slam off Robert Stephenson that propelled the Cardinals to a 12-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

After returning to the dugout, he walked out on the front steps and raised his helmet to honor Fernandez.

"I think the best way to honor him is to come here every day and play this game 100 percent," Diaz said. "That's what he would want. I will go out there and play 100 percent every day and give my team a chance to win, like he did."

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

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