Rich Harden walks the first two Milwaukee hitters, though he is then able to limit the Brewers to one first-inning run. Unfortunately, he has to throw 38 pitches to retire the side.

Stage 1: Mild Irritation


In the Cubs' half of the second inning, Jim Edmonds smacks a game-tying home run off Milwaukee's David Bush. In the fourth inning, another solo shot, this one by Aramis Ramirez, puts the Cubs ahead, 2-1.

Stage 2: Optimism


A Mark DeRosa error, Jeff Samardzija's lack of control, and some opportunely placed Brewers hits allow the visitors to score four runs in their half of the sixth inning to go in front, 5-2. In the bottom of the inning, Alfonso Soriano is on first when Derrek Lee hits into an inning-ending double play.

Stage 3: Depression


Still trailing 5-2 and having accumulated only three hits—two of them the solo homers by Edmonds and Ramirez—the Cubs get a potentially game-changing break in their half of the seventh inning: Milwaukee manager Dale Sveum hands the ball to Eric Gagne (6.25 ERA). But Gagne retires Ramirez, Edmonds, and Mark DeRosa on four pitches.

Stage 4: Anger


Despite running the bases like nervous Little Leaguers, the Brewers pad their lead to 6-2 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the inning, Salomon Torres retires the first two hitters.

Stage 5: Resignation


Double, single, single, homer. Tied game.

Stage 6: Delirium


After Marmol keeps the Brewers off the board in the top of the 10th, Wood is brilliant in the top of the 11th, the Cubs threaten but don't score in the bottom of the 11th, and Wood wriggles out of a seemingly desperate situation in the top of the 12th, Derrek Lee bats in the bottom of the 12th and scores pinch-runner Jason Marquis with a solid, two-out, game-winning single to center field.

The magic number is two.

Stage 7: Peace