Game 5 ends on high note for Cubs fans in Elk Grove
The Cubs faced elimination Sunday in Game 5 of the World Series, but fans at Coach's Corner in Elk Grove Village never lost hope that their team would "Fly the W" and keep the dream alive.
The crowd cheered and sang "Go Cubs Go" as the Cubs pulled out a 3-2 win.
"I didn't stop thinking they can do it," said Steve Sabatino of Elk Grove Village. "We keep going. We are going to win."
Here's the suburban play-by-play:
Before the game
Though down 3-1 in the series against the Cleveland Indians, the Cubs certainly have what it takes to rally, win the next three games and emerge champions, says Michael Dougherty of Elk Grove Village. The lifelong fan stands in what he called his lucky spot by the bar, nervously awaiting game time.
"I'm terrified," he says. "But we are the better team, top to bottom."
1st inning
Cheers erupt in Coach's Corner as Cubs ace Jon Lester strikes out the side. And even though the Cubs' first three batters fail to generate hits, Elk Grove Village resident Bruce Males, 32, says he's feeling positive after Lester's three strikeouts.
"I feel like it's a good omen," he says.
Males was at Wrigley Field when the Cubs lost to the Florida Marlins in Game 7 of the National League champion series in 2003. This team has more to offer, he says, thanks to owner Tom Ricketts, President Theo Epstein and Manager Joe Maddon.
"It's a different atmosphere now," he says. "It's a different vibe with this team."
2nd inning
Impressive plays by the Cubs' defense and a single by Addison Russell draw cheers from the crowd, but the Indians take a 1-0 lead after a solo home run by Jose Ramirez.
Elk Grove resident Celine Hall, however, says it's too early to worry. The Chicago-born fan says she woke up this morning with an entirely different feeling than before the previous two games. She has faith they'll pull through.
"It's amazing we've gotten this far," she says. "We'll only get better from here."
3rd inning
The Indians' Trevor Bauer flew out to right fielder Jason Heyward, who made a catch that got customers out of their seats at Coach's Corner. But another scoreless inning left Mike McDermott hoping for some hits from the Cubs.
"We've got to get some runs," he says.
The Elk Grove native now lives in Arizona but returned to the Chicago area to experience the World Series excitement. He spent Friday and Saturday in Wrigleyville.
4th inning
The excitement is growing in Coach's Corner after a solo home run by Kris Bryant kicks off a successful inning for the Cubs, who now have a 3-1 lead.
A double from Anthony Rizzo. A single from Addison Russell. A bunt from Javier Baez. A sacrifice fly from David Ross.
With each play, customers dressed in Cubbie blue jump out of their seats, high-five and shout with excitement.
After what's been a stressful series so far, Peter Kinsella, 22, of Edison Park feels relieved. The Elk Grove native, who was in Wrigleyville the last two games, is watching Game 5 with hometown friends, who say they are confident the Cubs will win this game and the next two in Cleveland.
"You can't count the Cubs out," Kinsella says. "I like our chances."
5th & 6th innings
After an inning full of excitement for the Cubs, fans at Coach's Corner watch intently as the Indians bring in a new pitcher, Mike Clevenger. The Cubs don't score in the fifth and sixth innings, but an exciting steal from Bryant and a few strong defensive plays get the fans cheering.
A sixth-inning run by the Indians makes it a 1-run game, but Elk Grove Village resident Rose Kelly is just happy the Cubs are maintaining their lead.
The lifelong fan grew up in Wrigleyville and says she believes the Cubs can win it all - as long as the players have fun.
"They are a part of me," she says. "They need to win. It's time."
7th inning
With Carl Edwards Jr. and then Aroldis Chapman pitching for the Cubs, fans such as Elk Grove Village resident Jason Celiz question whether Lester was taken out of the game too soon.
"It's so nerve-wracking," he says. "You just don't now what's going to happen."
The Cubs' at-bat ends when Ben Zobrist flies out to center with two men on base, leaving Celiz wishing the Cubs were scoring more runs.
He waited all night for tickets to Game 4 Saturday at Wrigley Field. Though they didn't win, he says he thinks they will win Game 5 and make a comeback in the series.
As Celiz said in a Facebook post Sunday, "Just Believe."
8th inning
After a scoreless inning for both teams, the Cubs head into the ninth with Chapman having already pitched one and two-thirds innings.
Among the nervous fans at Coach's Corner was Valerie Nuti of Elk Grove Village, who has one word to describe how she is feeling: nauseous.
"It's been so nerve-wracking," she says. "I want it so bad."
9th inning
Nervous silence is followed by an eruption of cheers as Chapman strikes out the Ramirez to end the game.
"We've got a chance now," Kinsella says. "We are looking good. We are winning this."