Vladimir Guerrero Jr Homers against Ohtani as Toronto See Off Dodgers to Level Series at 2-2

Less than a day following staggering through one of the most draining losses in Fall Classic history, the Toronto Blue Jays displayed total command.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr smashed a two-run homer and Bieber delivered a steady outing as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers 6-2 in the fourth game on Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, tying the World Series at two wins apiece and guaranteeing the matchup will return to Canada.

The Blue Jays had spent the morning of the next day processing their 18-inning Game 3 loss – equal to the longest World Series game ever – a loss that cost them the chance to lead the series and depleted both bullpens. Manager John Schneider insisted later that “they won a game, not the World Series”. A day later, his squad offered convincing evidence.

Initial Innings

The Los Angeles again scored first. Max Muncy drew a walk in the second inning, moved up on a single and scored on Hernández's fly out. But the early breakthrough did not shake a Blue Jays team that led MLB with 49 comeback victories this season.

They responded right away in the third. Nathan Lukes hit a one-out base hit to center field and Guerrero came to the plate hunting a curveball. Shohei Ohtani left a sweeper up and Guerrero drove it soaring over the left-center wall. It was his initial extra-base hit of the World Series and his 7th home run this postseason – a new team mark – regaining the Toronto's lead after 13 scoreless frames and changing the tone of the night.

Ohtani's Night

That swing also ended Ohtani's history-making streak of 11 straight plate appearances getting on base. The two-way phenomenon had smashed two homers and reached safely a historic nine times in the Los Angeles' third game walk-off. But on Tuesday, he took the mound on short rest – his briefest ever – after needing an IV to recuperate from the previous marathon.

His pitch speed was below his regular-season average and he labored more as the game progressed. Even so, he showed flashes of his usual command, retiring 11 of 12 after Guerrero's blast and striking out six. He even walked in the first inning to extend his World Series record. But the Toronto made him work: six base hits and four earned runs were charged to him in over six innings.

Seventh Inning Surge

The bigger problem for the Dodgers was what came next when he eventually ran out of steam.

Varsho started the seventh inning with a sharp single to right, and Clement smashed a double off the wall to put two on with none out. Dave Roberts had no option but to pull Ohtani, who departed to a roaring applause from the local fans. The Dodgers' bullpen could not complete the escape.

Anthony Banda inherited the jam and right away fell behind. Andrés Giménez fought to a 3-2 count before scoring the runner with a single to left field. Ty France followed with a groundout to make it 4-1, and that was enough to knock the pitcher out of the game. Treinen entered next but also was unable to stem the momentum: Bo Bichette and Barger punched run-scoring base hits through the infield, capping a four-run outburst that pushed the margin to 6-1.

Toronto's Toughness

The Blue Jays's ability to withstand initial setbacks and answer has characterized their whole run. They once again succeeded without Springer, the hurt leadoff hitter who left the third game after straining his oblique.

Bieber, in contrast, was everything Toronto required. Traded for mid-season while completing rehab from Tommy John surgery, the former award-winning winner stranded multiple runners and silenced the Los Angeles' dangerous lineup. He gave up one run on four base hits and three walks before Schneider summoned first-year left-hander Fluharty to face the core of the order in the sixth. He needed just four pitches to retire Muncy and Edman, preserving a narrow lead that quickly grew comfortable.

Former starter Bassitt then worked a scoreless seventh and eighth as the Dodgers' bats kept to struggle. The Dodgers have scored only 3 scores over their last 20 innings, an abrupt downturn for a team that was among MLB's top offenses all season.

Final Innings

The Dodgers managed a run in the ninth when Edman hit into an out to bring home Hernández after a walk and Max Muncy's two-base hit put two on base. But Louis Varland closed it down without permitting a rally to build.

Following a game when the Blue Jays stranded a World Series-record 19 runners and fell apart after repeated of wasted chances, Game 4 was brutally efficient. 6 separate Toronto players collected base hits, 5 brought home runs and the team converted almost every run-scoring opportunity presented in the late innings.

Next Up

The win ensures the World Series title will be awarded at their home stadium, where the Blue Jays have not won a title since Carter's iconic walk-off homer in '93. They now are aware they are assured a full house in Canada on Friday evening – and possibly the next day – no matter what occurs next in Los Angeles.

The fifth game looms with the series reset and energy swinging to Toronto. Los Angeles pitcher Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will attempt to arrest the Blue Jays's surge. Toronto counter with rookie Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA) in a rematch of the opener, when the Blue Jays knocked out Snell quickly in an 11-4 win.

Jennifer Martinez
Jennifer Martinez

A tech enthusiast and software developer with over a decade of experience in web technologies and digital innovation.