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Less than a day following enduring one of the most exhausting defeats in Fall Classic annals, the Toronto Blue Jays displayed total control.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr crushed a two-run home run and Shane Bieber provided a composed outing as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers 6-2 in the fourth game on Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, tying the Fall Classic at two wins apiece and guaranteeing the matchup will head back to Canada.

Toronto had passed the morning of Tuesday dealing with their 18-inning third game defeat – equal to the lengthiest Fall Classic contest ever – a loss that cost them the opportunity to take the lead in the matchup and burned through both bullpens. Manager John Schneider stated afterwards that “the Dodgers took a game, not the World Series”. A day later, his team offered emphatic proof.

Initial Action

The Los Angeles again scored first. Max Muncy drew a walk in the second inning, advanced on a base hit and crossed the plate on Hernández's fly out. But the early score did not rattle a Toronto club that topped Major League Baseball with 49 come-from-behind wins this season.

They answered right away in the third. Lukes hit a one-out single to centre and Guerrero stepped in hunting a curveball. Ohtani threw a sweeper up and Guerrero sent it screaming over the outfield fence. It was his first long hit of the World Series and his 7th home run this postseason – a fresh team mark – restoring the Blue Jays's advantage after 13 shutout innings and changing the momentum of the game.

Ohtani's Night

That swing also halted Ohtani's record-setting streak of 11 consecutive at-bats reaching base. The dual-threat phenomenon had smashed two home runs and reached safely a record nine times in the Los Angeles' third game walk-off. But on that night, he took the mound on limited rest – his briefest ever – after needing an IV to recover from the previous extra-inning game.

Ohtani pitch speed was below his seasonal average and he labored more as the contest progressed. Nonetheless, he displayed glimpses of his usual command, setting down 11 of 12 after Guerrero's blast and striking out six. He even drew a walk in the first to continue his Fall Classic record. But the Blue Jays made him work: six hits and four runs were credited to him in over six frames.

Seventh Inning Surge

The larger problem for Los Angeles was what followed when Ohtani eventually lost steam.

Daulton Varsho opened the seventh inning with a sharp single to right, and Ernie Clement smashed a double off the fence to put two on with none out. Roberts had little choice but to pull the starter, who exited to a standing ovation from the local fans. The Los Angeles' relief corps could not finish the inning.

Banda came into the jam and right away trailed in the count. Andrés Giménez battled to a full count before driving in Varsho with a single to left. France came up next with a fielder's choice to make it 4-1, and that was enough to knock the pitcher out of the contest. Treinen entered next but also was unable to stop the momentum: Bichette and Addison Barger hit RBI singles through the diamond, completing a four-score barrage that extended the lead to 6-1.

Toronto's Toughness

The Blue Jays's ability to withstand initial blows and answer has characterized their entire postseason. They once again did it without George Springer, the hurt leadoff hitter who exited the third game after straining his right side.

Shane Bieber, in contrast, was everything Toronto needed. Acquired during the summer while completing rehab from Tommy John surgery, the former award-winning winner stranded several runners and quieted the Los Angeles' dangerous lineup. He gave up one run on four hits and three walks before the manager summoned first-year left-hander Mason Fluharty to face the heart of the order in the sixth inning. He needed just four throws to retire Muncy and Tommy Edman, preserving a narrow advantage that quickly grew safe.

Converted starter Chris Bassitt then worked a clean seventh and eighth as the Dodgers' bats kept to struggle. The Dodgers have produced only three runs over their last 20 frames, an abrupt downturn for a club that was among baseball's elite offenses all year.

Closing Innings

The Los Angeles managed a run in the ninth inning when Tommy Edman grounded out to score Teoscar Hernández after a walk and Muncy's double put runners aboard. But Louis Varland finished the game without permitting a comeback to build.

Following a night when the Blue Jays stranded a Fall Classic-record 19 baserunners and fell apart after wave upon wave of missed chances, Game 4 was ruthlessly effective. Six different Toronto players recorded base hits, 5 brought home runs and the team cashed almost every run-scoring chance presented in the late stanzas.

Next Up

The win ensures the championship title will be presented at Rogers Centre, where the Toronto have not celebrated a title since Carter's iconic game-winning home run in '93. They now are aware they are guaranteed a packed house in Toronto on Friday night – and perhaps the next day – no matter what happens next in LA.

The fifth game approaches with the series even and momentum swinging north. Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will try to arrest the Toronto's surge. The Blue Jays counter with rookie Trey Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA) in a repeat of the opener, when the Toronto knocked out the starter quickly in an 11-4 win.