Guerrero Sparks Jays’ Response as Toronto Evens World Series Behind Bieber’s Gem

LOS ANGELES — A night after heartbreak, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stood tall and lifted the Toronto Blue Jays back into the fight — and into the history books.

After urging his teammates to “keep their heads up” following their 18-inning loss in Game 3, Guerrero backed his words with thunder in Game 4, launching a two-run homer off Shohei Ohtani to propel the Jays to a 6–2 victory at Dodger Stadium. The win knotted the World Series at 2–2 and shifted momentum squarely back toward Toronto.

“It’s not over yet,” Guerrero recalled telling his team. “They gotta win four. We have to win four. It’s not over.”

Guerrero’s seventh home run of the postseason a majestic blast to left-center in the third inning set the tone as Toronto rebounded behind the calm command of Shane Bieber, who tossed 4 2/3 innings of four-hit ball in his World Series debut.

Bieber silences L.A. bats

The 2020 Cy Young winner, pitching in October for the first time since returning from Tommy John surgery, worked out of multiple jams before handing the ball to a bullpen that was nearly flawless. Bieber stranded four runners and repeatedly outdueled Ohtani in a showcase of resilience.

“Coming off what could’ve been a back-breaking loss last night, it was a pleasure to show up today and see nobody waver,” Bieber said. “This group just keeps coming.”

Ohtani’s short-rest start falters

Just 17 hours after his record-setting nine on-base appearances in Game 3, Ohtani tried to make World Series history again this time on the mound. But despite flashes of brilliance, fatigue showed. His velocity dipped, his command waned, and Toronto pounced.

Ohtani surrendered four runs on six hits over six-plus innings, including Guerrero’s homer and a four-run Toronto rally in the seventh that chased him from the game. At the plate, the two-way superstar went 0-for-3 with a walk, failing to extend his otherworldly streak of reaching base safely.

“We’re facing the best of the best this time of year,” Ohtani said. “It’s not easy, but we need to do more offensively.”

Defensive clinic and clutch hitting

Toronto’s win featured the same trademark defense that’s fueled their postseason surge. Addison Barger added two hits and an RBI. While the Jays erased multiple Dodger threats with crisp relay throws and flawless execution on the bases.

The road ahead

The series now becomes a best-of-three, with Game 5 set for Wednesday in Los Angeles and Game 6 returning to Rogers Centre on Friday.

Toronto’s victory not only evened the series. But guaranteed that the World Series trophy will be awarded on Canadian soil for the first time since 1993.

“I believe in this team,” Guerrero said. “We’ve been through a lot, but we keep fighting. This team is something special.”