LOS ANGELES — As Eliezer Alfonzo made his way to the batter’s box in the bottom of the third inning, the crowd at Dodger Stadium rose to its feet. The standing ovation that followed was one rooted in compassion and support amidst unimaginable loss.In what should have been one of the most joyous days of his life, Alfonzo’s long-awaited major-league debut was marked by profound tragedy. Hours before Sunday’s game, he was informed that his younger sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, were found dead in the aftermath of last month’s twin earthquakes in Venezuela.His eyes were teary and his breath shaky as he recalled one of his final conversations with Eliana.“Three weeks ago, (Eliana) had a beautiful dream, but she wasn’t going to tell me until the dream came true,” Alfonzo said. “I’m pretty sure the dream was something about this.“I wish she was alive to watch me play in the big leagues.”As he stood in front of his locker Sunday evening, Alfonzo was still dressed in the compression clothes he had worn under his uniform, eye black still smeared on his cheeks. He was finally a big leaguer, following in the footsteps of his father, Eliezer Alfonzo (Sr.), who played parts of six MLB seasons from 2006 to 2011.In what should have been a celebration, the younger Alfonzo was left reeling.He said the decision to play Sunday was made to honor their lives.“I went out there to honor my sister and my stepmom and give my best in a difficult moment,” Alfonzo said in Spanish after the game. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win, but you have to keep moving forward.”The Dodgers’ 5-2 loss to the San Diego Padres paled in comparison to the gravity of the Alfonzo family’s loss. He said Saturday after arriving at Dodger Stadium that he was optimistic Eliana and Patricia would be found, especially after their family dog was found alive that day.Instead, he wrote the “E y P” — the initials of his sister and stepmother — on the side of his cap, took the field and hoped he could give his family something to cheer about on one of its darkest days.“I’ve been able to speak with my dad and my brother, who are there in Venezuela,” Alfonzo said. “They gave me their support and asked me to go out onto the field and enjoy this day and do it for my sister.”