Guerrero Homers off Ohtani as Toronto Defeat Los Angeles to Level World Series at 2-2

Only 24 hours following staggering through one of the most exhausting defeats in Fall Classic history, the Blue Jays displayed complete command.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr smashed a two-run home run and Bieber delivered a composed start as Toronto beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in Game 4 on Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, squaring the Fall Classic at two wins apiece and ensuring the matchup will return to Toronto.

The Blue Jays had spent the morning of the next day processing their marathon third game defeat – tied for the lengthiest Fall Classic contest ever – a loss that cost them the opportunity to take the lead in the matchup and depleted both bullpens. Skipper John Schneider stated afterwards that “they won a contest, not the championship”. A day later, his team offered emphatic proof.

Initial Innings

The Los Angeles again scored first. Muncy drew a walk in the second inning, moved up on a single and scored on Hernández's sacrifice fly. But the initial score did not rattle a Blue Jays club that topped Major League Baseball with 49 comeback victories this season.

They responded right away in the third. Lukes hit a one away base hit to center field and Vladimir Guerrero Jr stepped in looking for a breaking ball. Ohtani threw a slider up and Guerrero drove it screaming over the outfield fence. It was his initial extra-base hit of the series and his 7th home run this playoffs – a fresh club record – restoring the Blue Jays's advantage after 13 shutout frames and changing the momentum of the game.

Ohtani's Night

That hit also halted Ohtani's record-setting run of 11 straight plate appearances getting on base. The dual-threat phenomenon had smashed two home runs and got on base a historic nine times in the Dodgers' third game comeback win. But on Tuesday, he started on limited rest – his shortest ever – after requiring an IV to recuperate from the previous extra-inning game.

His pitch speed was below his seasonal norm and he labored more as the contest wore on. Even so, he showed flashes of his usual control, retiring 11 of 12 after Guerrero's blast and fanning six. He even walked in the first inning to continue his World Series record. But the Toronto forced him to labor: six hits and four earned runs were charged to him in six-plus innings.

Late Game Rally

The larger problem for the Dodgers was what came next when Ohtani eventually ran out of energy.

Varsho opened the seventh inning with a clean single to right field, and Ernie Clement smashed a double off the wall to put two on with none out. Roberts had little choice but to pull the starter, who exited to a roaring applause from the home crowd. The Dodgers' relief corps could not finish the escape.

Banda came into the jam and right away trailed in the count. Andrés Giménez fought to a 3-2 count before scoring Varsho with a single to left field. France came up next with a fielder's choice to make it 4-1, and that was enough to remove the pitcher out of the contest. Treinen came in next but also failed to stop the rally: Bo Bichette and Addison Barger punched run-scoring singles through the diamond, completing a four-score outburst that extended the lead to 6-1.

Toronto's Resilience

The Blue Jays's capacity to withstand initial blows and answer has defined their entire postseason. They once again did it without George Springer, the injured leadoff hitter who left Game 3 after straining his right side.

Shane Bieber, meanwhile, was everything the Blue Jays needed. Acquired mid-season while finishing recovery from Tommy John surgery, the ex- award-winning winner stranded multiple baserunners and quieted the Los Angeles' potent batting order. He gave up one earned run on four base hits and three walks before Schneider called on rookie left-hander Mason Fluharty to confront the core of the lineup in the sixth. He required just 4 throws to get out Muncy and Edman, preserving a fragile lead that quickly became safe.

Converted starter Bassitt then worked a scoreless seventh and eighth innings as the Los Angeles' offense kept to sputter. Los Angeles have produced only three scores over their last 20 frames, an abrupt downturn for a club that was among MLB's top lineups all season.

Closing Moments

The Dodgers managed a score in the ninth inning when Edman hit into an out to bring home Hernández after a base on balls and Muncy's double put runners aboard. But Varland finished the game without permitting a comeback to develop.

After a game when Toronto stranded a Fall Classic-record 19 baserunners and fell apart after wave upon wave of missed chances, the fourth contest was ruthlessly effective. Six separate Toronto players collected hits, 5 brought home runs and the team cashed almost every run-scoring chance available in the late stanzas.

Next Up

The victory guarantees the championship title will be awarded at their home stadium, where the Toronto have not won a title since Joe Carter's famous walk-off home run in 1993. They now are aware they are assured a packed house in Toronto on Friday evening – and perhaps Saturday – no matter what occurs next in LA.

The fifth game approaches with the series reset and energy swinging north. Dodgers pitcher Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will try to arrest the Toronto's momentum. Toronto counter with first-year player Trey Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA) in a repeat of the opener, when the Blue Jays chased the starter quickly in an 11-4 victory.