CHICAGO (Interstat) — A dominant pitching performance and a decisive first-inning blast from Ian Happ propelled the Chicago Cubs to a 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, evening their National League Division Series at two games apiece.

Before a sold-out crowd of 41,770 at a raucous Wrigley Field, the Cubs seized control immediately. Facing Brewers ace Freddy Peralta in the bottom of the first, Nico Hoerner singled and Kyle Tucker walked with two outs. Happ then stepped up and launched a three-run home run to right field, silencing any doubt and setting the tone for the evening.

That early lead proved more than enough for a relentless Cubs pitching staff. Starter Matthew Boyd set the standard, delivering 4 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out six. The bullpen took over from there, with Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar combining for 4 1/3 perfect innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out two.

Peralta, who entered the game with an 18-7 record, took the loss for Milwaukee. He lasted four innings, surrendering three runs on three hits while striking out six. The Brewers’ offense, which mustered only three hits total, squandered its best chance in the fifth inning. Sal Frelick doubled and Blake Perkins walked, putting runners on second and third with one out. However, Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia entered the game and induced a strikeout and a popout to end the threat.

The Cubs methodically added to their lead. In the sixth, Matt Shaw drove in Carson Kelly, who had reached on an error, with a line-drive single to center. Kyle Tucker led off the seventh inning with a solo home to center field, extending the advantage to 5-0. Michael Busch capped the scoring with a solo shot of his own in the eighth inning.

Palencia earned the win for Chicago, his fourth of the season, for his critical 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The game lasted 3 hours and 3 minutes. With the series now tied 2-2, the deciding Game 5 is set for Saturday in Milwaukee. The winner will advance to the National League Championship Series. The Brewers’ season record moves to 99-67, while the Cubs improve to 96-73.