Ian Happ’s 3-run homer sparks Cubs’ 8-2 win as David Peterson steadies after 1st-pitch HR

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ian Happ hit a three-run homer, newly acquired left-hander David Peterson bounced back for the win after giving up a home run on his first pitch as a Cub, and Chicago beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-2 on Saturday night.

Happ’s 17th homer capped a four-run sixth that put the Cubs up 6-2.

Peterson (4-6), acquired Thursday from the Mets to bolster an injury-riddled rotation, allowed Jackson Chourio’s 11th homer on his first pitch, but then settled in to allow two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Seiya Suzuki and Michael Conforto also homered for the Cubs, who moved 6 1/2 games behind the NL Central-leading Brewers, who had won the first four meetings between the teams this season.

Chad Patrick (5-4) relieved to open the sixth and retired the first two hitters before issuing a pair of walks. Nico Hoerner followed with an RBI single to put the Cubs up 3-2. Happ then sent the first pitch 381 feet to right for his first homer since June 13.

Alex Bregman’s sacrifice fly in the seventh increased the lead to 7-2. Conforto added a pinch-hit homer in the ninth.

Kyle Harrison retired the first 10 hitters before Matt Shaw singled up the middle with one out in the fourth. Suzuki followed with his 12th homer to put Chicago up 2-1.

The Brewers tied it 2-all in the fifth when Blake Perkins doubled to open and Sal Frelick followed with an RBI single.

The Cubs acquired Peterson in exchange for minor-league infielder Cole Mathis after starters Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown joined three other starters on the injured list.

Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 3.00 ERA) starts for the Brewers on Sunday, while LHP Ryan Rolison (5-1, 1.82) is expected to go for the Cubs.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio, bottom, steals second base as Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson (7) leaps to catch the ball during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki (27) is tagged out at home by Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras, right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Chicago Cubs' David Peterson winds up to deliver during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Colombia's James Rodriguez shared a warm embrace before their World Cup match started Saturday, then the captains chatted again as their teams simultaneously headed back out to the field in the final moments of halftime.

It wasn't a "friendly" — soccer's term for a game that doesn't really mean anything in terms of standings or a trophy — but it sure felt like one.

From here on out, that won't be the case.

It's win or go home — all business — now for Ronaldo, the 41-year-old who is in his sixth and presumably final World Cup. After Saturday's 0-0 tie against Colombia, he now knows the path if he's going to deliver soccer's ultimate prize as his farewell: the knockout stage awaits, and for Portugal, it starts Thursday in Toronto against Croatia.

Colombia won the group and Portugal finished second.

Win the game against Croatia, and Spain likely awaits as Portugal's next opponent in the Round of 16. Win that game, and Portugal would still be three more wins away from actually winning the tournament.

“Our goal is to win and represent this country with the aim of winning,” Portugal midfielder Samu Costa said. “We didn’t manage it.”

Ronaldo — who didn't stop for questions on his way out of the stadium — has two goals in this tournament, giving him 10 overall and making him the only player to score in six editions of the men’s World Cup.

Ronaldo and Portugal arrived for their final group stage match against Colombia knowing their spot in the round of 32 was secured. Ronaldo — in a light jacket, despite nearly 100-degree (38 Celsius) temperatures in Miami on Saturday afternoon, along with a T-shirt and pair of shorts — gave a thumbs-up to a few who lined the route between the team bus and the player's entry point to the stadium.

His mood seemed light. Going forward, that'll probably change. His World Cup hopes are really at stake now.

“We're going to play to win,” goalkeeper Diogo Costa said. “That's what we always do.”

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) shoots against Colombia's Jhon Lucumi (3) during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads the players onto the field to warm up ahead of the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) wipes his face before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, center talks to Vitinha during the men's national soccer team World Cup training session Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)