Hitting coach Hensley Meulens went into the San Francisco Giants clubhouse in the fifth inning Sunday and found reserve outfielder Juan Perez crying.

Perez had learned during Game 5 of the World Series that his friend and former teammate in the Dominican winter league, St. Louis Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras, had died in a car accident near his hometown of Puerto Plata. The news made such an impact on the baseball community, Commissioner Bud Selig saw fit to issue a statement offering his condolences

Perez was so upset about the devastating news, he threw his phone away after confirming the reports were accurate. Yet three innings later, the rookie delivered the biggest hit of his career, a two-run double off previously untouchable Kansas City Royals reliever Wade Davis to give the Giants breathing room as they took a 3-2 Series lead with a 5-0 victory.

As he spoke with reporters afterward, the emotions at times overwhelmed Perez, a native of the Dominican Republic who moved to the U.S. at 14.

“I put it out of my mind. By the time I was in the game, I put it away,” he said, stopping to compose himself. “You never know what may happen. That young man was here two weeks ago and now he has just died in an accident. It’s so sad. I still can’t believe it happened.”