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

Vladimir Guerrero Jr crushed a two-run homer and Shane Bieber delivered a composed start as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6-2 in the fourth game on Tuesday night at their home ballpark, squaring the Fall Classic at two games each and ensuring the series will head back to Toronto.

The Blue Jays had passed the early hours of Tuesday dealing with their 18-inning third game defeat – tied for the longest Fall Classic contest ever – a loss that denied them the chance to lead the matchup and depleted both relief corps. Manager John Schneider stated afterwards that “they took a game, not the championship”. Twenty-three hours later, his team provided convincing evidence.

Early Innings

The Los Angeles again struck first. Max Muncy walked in the second inning, advanced on a base hit and crossed the plate on Hernández's sacrifice fly. But the early breakthrough did not shake a Blue Jays club that topped Major League Baseball with 49 comeback wins this season.

They answered immediately in the third. Lukes lined a one away single to center field and Guerrero stepped in hunting a breaking ball. Shohei Ohtani left a sweeper up and Guerrero drove it soaring over the left-center wall. It was his first long hit of the series and his 7th homer this postseason – a new team record – regaining the Blue Jays's advantage after 13 scoreless innings and shifting the momentum of the game.

Ohtani's Performance

That swing also ended Ohtani's history-making run of 11 straight at-bats getting on base. The dual-threat phenomenon had smashed two homers and got on base a historic nine times in the Dodgers' third game walk-off. But on Tuesday, he started on limited rest – his briefest ever – after needing an IV to recuperate from the previous extra-inning game.

His fastball velocity was under his regular-season norm and he struggled more as the contest progressed. Nonetheless, he showed flashes of his usual command, retiring 11 of 12 after Guerrero's blast and fanning six. He even drew a walk in the first inning to extend his World Series record. But the Blue Jays made him work: six base hits and four runs were charged to him in over six frames.

Seventh Inning Surge

The larger issue for the Dodgers was what followed when he eventually lost steam.

Daulton Varsho opened the seventh with a sharp hit to right field, and Clement drilled a two-base hit off the fence to put runners on with no outs. Dave Roberts had no option but to remove Ohtani, who departed to a standing ovation from the local fans. The Los Angeles' bullpen could not complete the escape.

Anthony Banda inherited the jam and immediately fell behind. Andrés Giménez fought to a full count before driving in Varsho with a base hit to left. Ty France came up next with a groundout to make it 4-1, and that was sufficient to knock Banda out of the game. Treinen came in next but also failed to stop the rally: Bichette and Barger hit RBI base hits through the infield, capping a four-run outburst that extended the margin to 6-1.

Blue Jays's Resilience

The Toronto's capacity to absorb initial setbacks and answer has characterized their entire run. They once again did it without George Springer, the hurt leadoff man who exited the third game after straining his right side.

Shane Bieber, in contrast, was exactly what Toronto needed. Traded for during the summer while completing rehab from Tommy John surgery, the former award-winning winner left multiple runners and quieted the Dodgers' potent lineup. He gave up one run on four base hits and three walks before Schneider summoned rookie pitcher Fluharty to confront the core of the lineup in the sixth inning. He required just four pitches to retire Max Muncy and Tommy Edman, preserving a fragile lead that quickly became comfortable.

Converted starting pitcher Bassitt then pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth innings as the Dodgers' bats continued to sputter. Los Angeles have produced only 3 scores over their last 20 frames, an sudden slowdown for a team that was among MLB's elite lineups all season.

Closing Moments

The Los Angeles scraped a run in the ninth when Edman hit into an out to bring home Hernández after a base on balls and Muncy's two-base hit put two on base. But Louis Varland finished the game without allowing a comeback to build.

After a game when the Blue Jays left a World Series-record 19 baserunners and collapsed after repeated of missed opportunities, Game 4 was ruthlessly efficient. Six separate Toronto players recorded base hits, 5 drove in scores and the squad converted nearly every run-scoring opportunity presented in the final innings.

Looking Ahead

The win ensures the World Series title will be presented at their home stadium, where the Toronto have not celebrated a title since Joe Carter's iconic walk-off homer in 1993. They now are aware they are assured a packed crowd in Canada on Friday night – and possibly the next day – no matter what occurs next in LA.

The fifth game looms with the series even and momentum shifting north. Los Angeles pitcher Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will try to halt the Blue Jays's momentum. Toronto counter with rookie Trey Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA) in a repeat of the opener, when the Blue Jays chased Snell early in an decisive win.