Cubs shut out Brewers to force Game 5

Ian Happ’s first‑inning three‑run homer ignited the Chicago Cubs in a 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that evened the National League Division Series at two games each and set up a winner‑take‑all Game 5 in Milwaukee. Facing Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, the Cubs jumped ahead immediately after Nico Hoerner’s one‑out single and a walk to Kyle Tucker; Happ chased a 1‑1 fastball into the right‑field seats for his second long ball of the series and a quick 3-0 cushion.

Matt Boyd provided a strong start for Chicago, working 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts while surrendering just two hits and issuing three walks. Boyd’s outing set the tone for a bullpen that completed the three‑hit shutout: Daniel Palencia (3-0) allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings, Drew Pomeranz struck out two in the seventh, Brad Keller worked the eighth, and Caleb Thielbar delivered a perfect ninth to seal the series‑tying win.

Milwaukee’s Peralta lasted four innings, fanning six and walking two while allowing three runs on three hits. The Brewers threatened in the fifth when Sal Frelick doubled and Blake Perkins drew a walk, but Chicago escaped further damage after Boyd recorded two outs and reliever Palencia induced an inning‑ending popup from Jackson Chourio. Defensive miscues factored in Chicago’s favor later: in the sixth, Carson Kelly reached on an error by third baseman Caleb Durbin and advanced to second on a sacrifice; after a Dansby Swanson walk, Patrick Wisdom delivered an RBI single to center, stretching the lead to 4-0.

Chicago kept pressure on Milwaukee’s pitching staff late. Tucker led off the seventh with a homer to center off Robert Gasser, and Michael Busch drove a solo shot to right‑center in the eighth—the infielder’s third homer of the series and his fourth of the postseason—to make it 6-0. A would‑be two‑run blast by Kelly was overturned on review and ruled foul, removing what would have been additional insurance runs for the Cubs.

Offensively, Chicago combined timely hitting, patient plate work and power, while the pitching staff limited Milwaukee to three scattered hits and kept the Brewers scoreless. The Cubs displayed bullpen depth and defensive composure under postseason pressure, relying on multiple arms to maintain momentum and close out innings cleanly.

Milwaukee now faces the challenge of regrouping for the decisive Game 5 with its lineup stifled and its starter unable to go deep. The Brewers will need answers from their rotation and bench to spark offense, while Chicago will look to carry its balanced attack and bullpen form into the winner‑take‑all matchup.