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Less than a day following staggering through one of the most exhausting defeats in Fall Classic history, the Toronto Blue Jays displayed complete command.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr crushed a two-run home run and Bieber provided a composed outing as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers 6-2 in Game 4 on Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, tying the World Series at two games each and ensuring the matchup will return to Toronto.

The Blue Jays had spent the early hours of the next day processing their 18-inning third game defeat – tied for the lengthiest World Series contest ever – a loss that cost them the opportunity to lead the matchup and burned through both relief corps. Manager John Schneider stated afterwards that “they took a game, not the championship”. A day later, his team provided convincing evidence.

Early Innings

The Dodgers again struck first. Muncy walked in the second, moved up on a single and crossed the plate on Kiké Hernández's fly out. But the early score did not shake a Toronto club that topped MLB with 49 comeback wins this year.

They responded right away in the third inning. Lukes hit a one away single to center field and Guerrero came to the plate looking for a breaking ball. Ohtani threw a slider up and Guerrero drove it screaming over the outfield fence. It was his first extra-base hit of the series and his 7th home run this playoffs – a new club mark – regaining the Blue Jays's lead after 13 shutout innings and changing the tone of the night.

Ohtani's Performance

That swing also ended Ohtani's history-making run of 11 straight plate appearances getting on base. The two-way star had smashed two home runs and got on base a record nine times in the Los Angeles' third game comeback win. But on Tuesday, he took the mound on short rest – his briefest ever – after requiring an IV to recover from the previous marathon.

His fastball velocity sat below his regular-season average and he labored more as the game progressed. Nonetheless, he showed glimpses of his usual control, retiring 11 of 12 after Guerrero Jr's homer and striking out six. He even drew a walk in the first to continue his World Series record. But the Blue Jays made him work: six base hits and four runs were charged to him in six-plus innings.

Late Game Surge

The larger problem for the Dodgers was what came next when he eventually lost steam.

Varsho opened the seventh inning with a clean hit to right, and Clement drilled a double off the fence to put two on with no outs. Roberts had little choice but to pull the starter, who exited to a standing ovation from the local fans. The Los Angeles' bullpen could not complete the inning.

Anthony Banda inherited the jam and immediately fell behind. Andrés Giménez battled to a full count before driving in Varsho with a base hit to left. Ty France followed with a fielder's choice to make it 4-1, and that was enough to remove Banda out of the game. Blake Treinen entered next but also failed to stop the momentum: Bichette and Addison Barger punched run-scoring base hits through the infield, completing a four-run outburst that pushed the margin to 6-1.

Blue Jays's Resilience

The Blue Jays's ability to absorb initial setbacks and respond has characterized their whole run. They once again succeeded without George Springer, the hurt leadoff hitter who exited Game 3 after straining his oblique.

Bieber, meanwhile, was exactly what Toronto needed. Traded for mid-season while finishing recovery from Tommy John surgery, the ex- award-winning winner left multiple runners and quieted the Dodgers' dangerous lineup. He gave up one run on four hits and three walks before Schneider summoned rookie pitcher Mason Fluharty to face the heart of the order in the sixth inning. Fluharty needed just 4 throws to retire Max Muncy and Edman, preserving a fragile advantage that quickly grew comfortable.

Former starter Chris Bassitt then pitched a clean seventh and eighth as the Dodgers' offense continued to struggle. The Dodgers have scored only three scores over their last 20 frames, an abrupt downturn for a club that ranked among MLB's top offenses all year.

Closing Moments

The Dodgers scraped a run in the ninth when Edman grounded out to score Teoscar Hernández after a walk and Max Muncy's double put runners on base. But Louis Varland closed it down without permitting a rally to develop.

After a night when Toronto stranded a Fall Classic-record 19 runners and collapsed after repeated of missed opportunities, the fourth contest was ruthlessly effective. 6 different Toronto players collected base hits, five drove in scores and the team converted almost every run-scoring chance presented in the final stanzas.

Looking Ahead

The win ensures the championship trophy will be presented at their home stadium, where the Blue Jays have not celebrated a title since Joe Carter's iconic game-winning homer in '93. They now know they are guaranteed a packed house in Toronto on Friday night – and possibly Saturday – no matter what happens next in Los Angeles.

The fifth game looms with the matchup even and energy swinging north. Los Angeles pitcher Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) will attempt to halt the Blue Jays's momentum. Toronto counter with rookie Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA) in a repeat of Game 1, when the Toronto knocked out the starter quickly in an decisive victory.