MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — In a taut, low-scoring affair defined by dominant pitching and timely power, the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Saturday, October 11, 2025, to even their National League Division Series at two games apiece.

A sellout crowd of 42,743 at American Family Field watched as the Brewers used a collective effort from their bullpen and solo home runs from William Contreras and Andrew Vaughn to secure a pivotal victory, forcing a decisive Game 5 back in Milwaukee. The game, which lasted 2 hours and 36 minutes, was a stark contrast to the high-scoring contests that had characterized much of the series.

The Brewers struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. After two quick outs, Contreras jumped on Cubs starter Colin Rea, driving a line-drive home run to left-center field for his second homer of the postseason, giving Milwaukee an immediate 1-0 lead.

Chicago answered promptly in the top of the second. Facing Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski, Seiya Suzuki launched a towering fly ball to right-center that cleared the fence for his third playoff home run, knotting the score at 1-1. The Cubs managed a two-out single from Carson Kelly later in the inning but could not capitalize further.

The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and Andrew Kittredge now pitching for Chicago, Vaughn provided the crucial blow, sending a solo shot to left field to break the tie and put the Brewers ahead 2-1. The inning continued as Sal Frelick reached on an infield single and Caleb Durbin followed with a line-drive single to center, with an error by Pete Crow-Armstrong allowing both runners to advance. A walk to Blake Perkins loaded the bases, but Joey Ortiz grounded into a forceout to end the threat and limit the damage to a single run.

Milwaukee added a critical insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Brice Turang connected for his first home run of the playoffs, a solo drive to center field off Kittredge that extended the Brewers’ lead to 3-1.

The Cubs’ offense, which had erupted for six runs in a Game 4 victory, was stifled by a parade of Milwaukee relievers. Their best chance came in the top of the sixth inning when Michael Busch led off with a single and Nico Hoerner was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on with nobody out. However, the Brewers’ bullpen slammed the door. Chad Patrick, who had just entered the game, struck out Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki before Trevor Megill came in to strike out Ian Happ, stranding both runners and preserving the one-run lead.

From that point, the Cubs managed only a two-out walk in the eighth inning, as Abner Uribe closed out the game with two perfect frames, striking out two.

Misiorowski earned the win for Milwaukee, improving his record to 7-3. He pitched four innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Uribe collected his eighth save of the year with two flawless innings of relief. The Brewers’ bullpen combination of Misiorowski, Aaron Ashby, Patrick, Megill and Uribe collectively pitched 8.1 innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out eight.

Colin Rea took the loss for the Cubs, falling to 11-8. He lasted only 2.2 innings, surrendering one run on four hits. The Cubs’ bullpen, aside from Kittredge allowing two runs, was effective, with Daniel Palencia and Brad Keller combining for 2.1 scoreless innings.

The victory improved Milwaukee’s season record to 100-67, while the Cubs fell to 96-74. The series, now tied 2-2, will see its conclusion in a winner-take-all Game 5 on Sunday at American Family Field. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 6-4 Cubs victory, though Milwaukee was the betting favorite and had a 58.1 percent probability to win according to the ELO rating system. The combined four total runs fell well under the over/under line of 7.5.