🔗 Share this article Vladimir Guerrero Jr Blasts off Shohei Ohtani as Toronto See Off Los Angeles to Tie Series at 2-2 Only 24 hours following enduring one of the most exhausting losses in World Series history, the Toronto Blue Jays played with total control. Guerrero crushed a two-run homer and Bieber delivered a steady start as Toronto defeated the Dodgers 6-2 in Game 4 on Tuesday evening at their home ballpark, tying the Fall Classic at two wins apiece and ensuring the series will head back to Canada. Toronto had passed the early hours of Tuesday dealing with their marathon Game 3 loss – tied for the longest Fall Classic game ever – a defeat that denied them the opportunity to take the lead in the matchup and depleted both relief corps. Skipper Schneider insisted later that “the Dodgers won a contest, not the championship”. A day later, his team offered convincing proof. Early Action The Dodgers again scored first. Max Muncy drew a walk in the second, moved up on a base hit and crossed the plate on Kiké Hernández's fly out. But the early breakthrough did not shake a Toronto team that led MLB with 49 come-from-behind wins this season. They answered right away in the third. Nathan Lukes hit a one away base hit to centre and Vladimir Guerrero Jr came to the plate hunting a breaking ball. Shohei Ohtani left a sweeper up and he sent it soaring over the left-center wall. It was his initial long hit of the series and his seventh home run this playoffs – a new club record – regaining the Blue Jays's lead after 13 shutout frames and shifting the momentum of the game. Shohei's Night That hit also halted Shohei Ohtani's record-setting run of 11 straight at-bats reaching base. The two-way phenomenon had hit two homers and got on base a historic nine times in the Dodgers' Game 3 walk-off. But on that night, he took the mound on short rest – his shortest ever – after requiring an IV to recover from the prior marathon. His fastball velocity was below his seasonal norm and he struggled more as the game wore on. Even so, he displayed flashes of his usual control, setting down 11 of 12 after Guerrero's homer and striking out six. He even walked in the first to continue his Fall Classic streak. But the Toronto made him work: six base hits and four runs were credited to him in six-plus frames. Seventh Inning Rally The bigger issue for Los Angeles was what followed when Ohtani eventually lost steam. Varsho started the seventh with a clean hit to right field, and Clement drilled a double off the wall to put two on with no outs. Dave Roberts had no option but to pull Ohtani, who departed to a roaring applause from the home crowd. The Los Angeles' bullpen could not complete the escape. Anthony Banda came into the mess and right away fell behind. Andrés Giménez fought to a full count before scoring Varsho with a base hit to left. Ty France came up next with a fielder's choice to make it 4-1, and that was enough to knock Banda out of the contest. Treinen came in next but also failed to stem the rally: Bichette and Addison Barger hit run-scoring singles through the infield, completing a four-score barrage that pushed the lead to 6-1. Toronto's Toughness The Toronto's ability to withstand initial blows and respond has defined their whole run. They once again did it without George Springer, the hurt leadoff hitter who left the third game after tweaking his oblique. Shane Bieber, meanwhile, was everything Toronto needed. Acquired during the summer while completing rehab from elbow surgery, the ex- Cy Young winner left several baserunners and silenced the Los Angeles' dangerous lineup. He gave up one run on four base hits and three walks before Schneider summoned first-year pitcher Mason Fluharty to confront the heart of the lineup in the sixth inning. Fluharty needed just four pitches to retire Muncy and Tommy Edman, protecting a fragile lead that quickly became comfortable. Former starter Chris Bassitt then pitched a clean seventh and eighth as the Los Angeles' bats continued to sputter. Los Angeles have scored only 3 scores over their previous 20 frames, an abrupt slowdown for a team that ranked among MLB's elite lineups all season. Final Moments The Los Angeles managed a run in the ninth when Edman hit into an out to score Teoscar Hernández after a walk and Muncy's double put runners aboard. But Louis Varland finished the game without permitting a rally to develop. After a night when the Blue Jays stranded a World Series-record 19 baserunners and fell apart after wave upon wave of wasted opportunities, Game 4 was ruthlessly effective. 6 separate Blue Jays recorded base hits, 5 brought home scores and the squad converted almost every scoring opportunity presented in the final innings. Looking Ahead The win ensures the World Series title will be awarded at their home stadium, where the Blue Jays have not celebrated a title since Carter's famous game-winning homer in '93. They now are aware they are guaranteed a packed house in Toronto on Friday evening – and possibly the next day – no matter what happens next in Los Angeles. Game 5 approaches with the series reset and energy shifting north. Los Angeles pitcher Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will try to halt the Toronto'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 Blue Jays knocked out Snell early in an decisive victory.