Boyd and Happ lead the Cubs past the Brewers 6-0 to send the NLDS to a deciding Game 5

CHICAGO (AP) — Matthew Boyd pitched two-hit ball into the fifth inning, and the Chicago Cubs shut down the Milwaukee Brewers for a 6-0 victory Thursday night that pushed their NL Division Series all the way to a decisive Game 5.

Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker and Michael Busch homered for Chicago, delighting a rollicking Wrigley Field crowd of 41,770. Busch went deep for the second straight game and third time in the series.

“It’s cool that the brightest lights have brought the best out of a lot of our guys,” said Nico Hoerner, who had three of Chicago’s 10 hits.

The Cubs were on the brink of elimination after they dropped the first two games in Milwaukee. But they held on for a 4-3 victory Wednesday before making the most of a sharp performance by Boyd and four relievers in Game 4.

Next up is the finale of the best-of-five series back in Milwaukee on Saturday night. The winner takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

“We’ve got to regroup,” Brewers star Christian Yelich said. “We've got one more game to play. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready to go.”

The Brewers, who went 97-65 this season for the majors' best record, finished with three hits. They were 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left 13 on base overall in the two games at Wrigley.

“They’re built to be great, and they played great these two games,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. “Hopefully the tables will turn when we get into Game 5 at our place. But we have to find out how bad we’re going to fight back.”

Boyd also started the series opener Saturday. Pitching on three days' rest, he recorded just two outs while Freddy Peralta worked into the sixth inning in Milwaukee's 9-3 win.

Given another opportunity, Boyd delivered. The All-Star left-hander struck out six and walked three in 4 2/3 innings.

“The atmosphere was amazing tonight,” Boyd said. “We've got the best fans in baseball, and it was electric. We’ve been feeding off them since April, but tonight was another level, and that was super special.”

The 34-year-old Boyd was staked to an early lead when Happ drove a 1-1 fastball from Peralta deep to right for a three-run drive with two out in the first. Hoerner singled and Tucker walked ahead of Happ's third career postseason homer.

Chicago has gone deep in the first in each of the four NLDS games. It has scored 11 of its 16 runs in the series in the first inning.

It was a big swing for Happ, who went 2 for 21 with 11 strikeouts in Chicago's first six postseason games this year.

“The guys have been carrying me all postseason so to contribute in that moment and give us the lead was awesome for me,” Happ said.

Happ hit a solo drive off Peralta in Game 1, but he is 2 for 32 with 14 strikeouts against the right-hander in the regular season.

“For me, it wasn’t a mistake. It was a pitch we wanted, and he was just able to hit it really hard,” Peralta said.

The Cubs had a 3-0 lead when Boyd exited with runners on second and third in the fifth, drawing a huge ovation from the crowd. Daniel Palencia came in and retired Jackson Chourio on a popup to shortstop, ending the inning.

Palencia also worked the sixth in this third win of the playoffs. Drew Pomeranz and Brad Keller each got three outs before Caleb Thielbar handled the ninth.

“Just a really great group effort,” Hoerner said.

Chicago blew a bases-loaded opportunity in the fifth, but Matt Shaw hit an RBI single off Aaron Ashby in the sixth. The rookie third baseman had two hits after he went 0 for 12 in his first six postseason games.

Tucker added a leadoff drive in the seventh against Robert Gasser, and Busch connected in the eighth. It was Busch’s fourth homer in this postseason overall.

“We just made them uncomfortable,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We just made every pitch uncomfortable, and that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) walks on the mound during the second inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs fans celebrate after Game 4 of baseball's National League Division against the Milwaukee Brewers Series Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledges starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) while making a pitching change during the fifth inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ (8) hits a 3-run home run during the first inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs' Kyle Tucker (30) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

DETROIT (AP) — Joshua Dobbs ran for a 50-yard touchdown and the Detroit Lions held on for a 17-13 preseason win against the Washington Commanders on Saturday.

Dobbs, expected to back up quarterback Jared Goff this season, was 7 for 12 for 74 yards with an interception and a fumble. He had two carries for 53 yards.

Detroit (1-1) played a few starters, but none of its biggest stars. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Penei Sewell sat out on offense, and Aidan Hutchinson was among the defensive absences.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels started, but he and much of the starting offense left after going three-and-out on the first series. Daniels was sacked once and threw an incompletion on his only pass attempt.

“I'm not worried about playing time — any reps are good,” Daniels said. “We know we've gotten the foundation of our offense in place, so now we can start focusing on game planning as we get closer to the first real game.”

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Daniels was going to play one series, no matter how long it went.

“You want to thread the needle as close as you can,” he said. “There are times in practice when he's taking all the reps he can, to get him a little more game ready.”

Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis was impressive as the third Commanders quarterback, going 11 for 14 for 162 yards.

“It's great to put up some numbers, but it doesn't mean that much,” said the former Minnesota and Rutgers starter. “I know I have a lot of work still to do.”

The Commanders (1-1) kicked off to start the game, but still took a 7-0 lead after 51 seconds.

On the second snap from scrimmage, former Lion Amik Robertson sacked Dobbs at the Detroit 18, knocking the ball loose. Both teams had chances to recover, but the ball was knocked into the end zone and Joshua Josephs fell on it for a 7-0 lead.

“That's not all on (Dobbs),” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We didn't pick up the protection the way we should, so he got hit."

Dobbs was intercepted on Detroit's second drive, but he faked a handoff and raced 50 yards for the tying touchdown on the third.

“I've always been a guy who tries to stay even-keeled, whether things are going good or bad,” Dobbs said. “I try to react the same to a good play, like the run, exactly like I react to a bad one like the turnover on the second play. I just try to get focused on the next play and how I can improve.”

Detroit's third quarterback, rookie Luke Altmyer, was 9 of 13 for 86 yards.

“We know Luke can see the field,” Campbell said. “We just need to help him play faster, but that will come.”

Washington took a 10-7 lead on Drew Stevens' 27-yard field goal with 8:45 left in the third quarter. Kaliakmanis led the offense on an 11-play, 78-yard drive after the second-half kickoff.

The Lions took their first lead on a 1-yard touchdown by Trayveon Williams late in the third quarter, and Jake Bates made it 14-10 with the extra point.

Stevens made a 32-yard field goal to bring the Commanders within 14-13 with 12:02 left, but Bates put the Lions back up by four with 2:26 left with a 37-yard field goal.

Washington rookie Robert Henry Jr. fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Lions used a fourth down conversion to run out the clock.

Commanders: None announced.

Lions: OL Michael Niese was carted back to the locker room with a leg injury, and left the stadium on crutches while RB Jabari Small was in concussion protocol. WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. sustained a knee injury and will receive more tests, but Campbell said he is “worried” about the diagnosis.

Commanders: final preseason game on Friday in Baltimore.

Lions: finish preseason on Saturday at Indianapolis.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Washington Commanders Joshua Josephs (48) scores against Detroit Lions Foster Sarell during a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer (2) runs the ball against Washington Commanders Car'lin Vigers (37) during a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams (14) makes a catch against Detroit Lions cornerback Keith Abney II (28) during a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions quarterback Joshua Dobbs (6) runs in for a touchdown against Washington Commanders Joshua Josephs (48) during a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)