Loney's big hit put then Dodgers up 2-0 in the first inning and LA starter Hiroki Kuroda made the lead stand up, going 6 1/3 shutout innings while giving up just six hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save for LA.

The win ends 20 years of post-season futility for the Dodgers, who had not won a playoff series since 1988 when they went on to win the World Series.

The Dodgers advance to the National League Championship Series against the winner of the Phillies-Brewers division series. Philadelphia leads the series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Sunday in Milwaukee.

The loss extended the Cubs' post-season misery, depriving them of any chance for their first World Series championship in a century -- even though they won 97 games in the regular season.

Cubs' starter Rich Harden allowed three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. Daryle Ward's eighth-inning pinch-hit single off Dodgers' reliever Cory Wade accounted for the Cubs' only run.