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Less than a day after enduring one of the most draining defeats in Fall Classic annals, the Blue Jays displayed complete command.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr crushed a two-run homer and Bieber delivered a steady start as the Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in the fourth game on Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, tying the Fall Classic at two games each and guaranteeing the matchup will return to Canada.

The Blue Jays had spent the early hours of the next day processing their marathon Game 3 loss – equal to the longest World Series contest ever – a loss that cost them the opportunity to lead the matchup and burned through both bullpens. Skipper Schneider stated afterwards that “the Dodgers won a game, not the World Series”. Twenty-three hours later, his team provided convincing proof.

Initial Innings

The Los Angeles again struck first. Max Muncy drew a walk in the second, advanced on a base hit and crossed the plate on Hernández's sacrifice fly. But the initial score did not shake a Toronto team that topped Major League Baseball with 49 come-from-behind victories this season.

They answered right away in the third. Lukes lined a one-out base hit to center field and Vladimir Guerrero Jr stepped in looking for a curveball. Ohtani left a sweeper up and Guerrero drove it soaring over the outfield fence. It was his first long hit of the series and his seventh home run this playoffs – a fresh team record – restoring the Blue Jays's advantage after 13 shutout frames and changing the momentum of the game.

Ohtani's Performance

That swing also halted Ohtani's record-setting run of 11 consecutive at-bats reaching base. The dual-threat phenomenon had hit two home runs and got on base a historic nine times in the Los Angeles' Game 3 walk-off. But on that night, he took the mound on short rest – his briefest ever – after needing an IV to recuperate from the prior extra-inning game.

His fastball velocity sat under his seasonal norm and he labored more as the game wore on. Even so, he showed glimpses of his typical control, setting down 11 of 12 after Guerrero Jr's blast and striking out six. He even drew a walk in the first inning to continue his World Series streak. But the Toronto made him work: six base hits and four earned runs were credited to him in over six innings.

Late Game Surge

The larger problem for Los Angeles was what came next when Ohtani finally lost steam.

Daulton Varsho opened the seventh inning with a sharp hit to right field, and Clement smashed a two-base hit off the wall to put two on with no outs. Dave Roberts had no option but to pull Ohtani, who departed to a standing ovation from the home crowd. The Dodgers' relief corps could not complete the escape.

Anthony Banda inherited the mess and immediately trailed in the count. Giménez fought to a full count before driving in the runner with a base hit to left. France followed with a groundout to make it 4-1, and that was sufficient to remove Banda out of the contest. Treinen entered next but also was unable to stop the momentum: Bichette and Barger hit run-scoring base hits through the diamond, completing a four-score outburst that pushed the lead to 6-1.

Blue Jays's Toughness

The Blue Jays's ability to withstand early blows and answer has defined their entire run. They once again succeeded without George Springer, the hurt leadoff hitter who exited Game 3 after straining his oblique.

Shane Bieber, in contrast, was exactly what Toronto required. Traded for mid-season while completing rehab from elbow surgery, the former Cy Young winner stranded several baserunners and silenced the Dodgers' dangerous batting order. He gave up one earned run on four base hits and three walks before the manager called on first-year left-hander Mason Fluharty to face the heart of the lineup in the sixth. Fluharty required just 4 throws to retire Max Muncy and Tommy Edman, preserving a narrow lead that quickly became comfortable.

Converted starter Bassitt then pitched a clean seventh and eighth innings as the Dodgers' bats continued to struggle. The Dodgers have produced only 3 scores over their previous 20 innings, an sudden slowdown for a club that was among MLB's top lineups all year.

Closing Moments

The Dodgers managed a run in the ninth when Edman hit into an out to score Teoscar Hernández after a walk and Max Muncy's double put runners on base. But Varland finished the game without permitting a rally to develop.

After a night when Toronto stranded a World Series-record 19 baserunners and fell apart after wave upon wave of missed opportunities, Game 4 was ruthlessly effective. Six different Blue Jays recorded base hits, five brought home scores and the team converted almost every scoring chance presented in the late innings.

Looking Ahead

The victory guarantees the World Series trophy will be awarded at Rogers Centre, where the Toronto have not won a title since Joe Carter's famous walk-off homer in 1993. They now are aware they are assured a full crowd in Canada on Friday night – and possibly Saturday – no matter what occurs next in LA.

The fifth game looms with the matchup even and momentum swinging to Toronto. Dodgers pitcher Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will attempt to halt the Blue Jays's momentum. The Blue Jays respond with first-year player Trey Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA) in a repeat of Game 1, when the Toronto chased the starter quickly in an decisive victory.