Blue Jays Tie World Series with Ohtani's Defeat

The Toronto Blue Jays have tied the best-of-seven World Series at 2-2 after a resounding 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s early two-run homer and a run-scoring seventh inning helped Major League Baseball's only Canadian team come back from a deficit at Dodger Stadium.

This also ensured that the sixth, and potentially decisive, game of the series will be played in Toronto.

Monday's 18-inning epic battle sapped the energy from both teams' bullpens, leaving the Dodgers and Blue Jays hoping for long innings from their starting pitchers to give their relief corps some respite.

All eyes were on the Dodgers' Japanese superstar, Shohei Ohtani, as this was a game in which he would play both starting pitcher and leadoff hitter.

The 31-year-old Ohtani is an exceptionally rare "two-way" player, playing at an excellent level as both a pitcher and a hitter.

But after reaching base in all nine plate appearances in Game 3, he didn't have a hit, and left the pitcher's mound in the seventh inning while trailing 2-1. He had put two players on base—both of whom scored—without an out.

Toronto's lesser-known starter, Shane Bieber, who was born in California, didn't give the hosts the run, striking out Ohtani twice and allowing only one run in the sixth inning.

The Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Enrique Hernández's sacrifice fly scored Max Muncy.

Toronto's offense lacked George Springer, who suffered a muscle injury during Game 3, but Guerrero stepped up and sent Ohtani to left-center field to make it 2-1.

After Ohtani struck out, Andres Jimenez, Ty France, Bo Bichette, and Addison Barger scored to give the Blue Jays a 6-1 lead before the seventh inning.

The Dodgers briefly attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning when Teoscar Hernandez walked, Muncy doubled, and Tommy Edman grounded out to score Hernandez, but Toronto won without worry.

The series will continue with Game 5 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday evening.