Blue Jays Even World Series Behind Guerrero’s Homer Off Ohtani/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered off Shohei Ohtani as the Toronto Blue Jays bounced back from a crushing Game 3 loss to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in Game 4 of the World Series. Shane Bieber delivered a strong outing, and Toronto’s offense erupted in the seventh inning to even the series at two games apiece. Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Blue Jays vs. Dodgers Game 4 Quick Looks
- Guerrero Jr. hit his seventh postseason homer off Shohei Ohtani.
- Shane Bieber pitched 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his World Series debut.
- Blue Jays scored four runs in the seventh inning to take control.
- Dodgers held to six hits and one extra-base hit.
- Ohtani allowed four runs over six-plus innings and went hitless at the plate.
- Toronto evened the World Series at 2-2 after losing Game 3 in 18 innings.
- George Springer sat out due to a right-side injury from Game 3.
- Game 5 features Blake Snell vs. rookie Trey Yesavage.
- The series shifts back to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday.
- Blue Jays reclaim home-field advantage with the win.
Deep Look: Guerrero Jr. Sparks Blue Jays as They Bounce Back to Even World Series
LOS ANGELES — October 29, 2025 — Just one night after a gut-wrenching 18-inning loss that could have derailed their World Series hopes, the Toronto Blue Jays responded with resolve, composure, and power. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s third-inning home run off Shohei Ohtani set the tone in Game 4, as the Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 to knot the World Series at two games apiece.
Shane Bieber returned to the mound in dominant form, tossing 5 1/3 innings of four-hit ball in his first World Series start, helping the American League champions reset the tone after a marathon loss in Game 3.
Guerrero Delivers Again
Following Game 3’s heartbreak, Guerrero Jr. stepped into a quiet clubhouse and reignited his teammates’ fire.
“I saw everybody with their heads down,” Guerrero said. “I told them: ‘Come on, bro. It’s not over. They have to win four games.’”
That leadership showed up on the field. In the third inning, with Nathan Lukes aboard, Guerrero crushed a misplaced sweeper from Ohtani deep into left-center, putting the Jays up 2-1. It was his seventh home run of the postseason, a new franchise record.
“He’s been carrying us,” said manager John Schneider. “That swing changed everything. It gave us the momentum we needed.”
Bieber’s Redemption Story
Pitching in his home region of Southern California, Bieber shook off early trouble and delivered the steady outing Toronto needed. The 2020 AL Cy Young winner, who only returned from Tommy John surgery in August, stranded four runners and worked through three walks.
“He was nails,” Schneider said. “That’s the guy we’ve leaned on for big moments, and he came through.”
Mason Fluharty relieved Bieber in the sixth and escaped further trouble, stranding two runners to preserve the lead before the Blue Jays’ offense erupted in the seventh.
Toronto’s Big Seventh Inning
The Jays chased Ohtani from the mound in the top of the seventh after Daulton Varsho singled and Ernie Clement doubled. Andrés Giménez followed with an RBI single, and Ty France added another on a groundout. After Ohtani exited, Bo Bichette and Addison Barger tacked on RBI singles off Blake Treinen to extend Toronto’s lead to 6-1.
In total, Toronto recorded four runs on five hits in the inning, effectively sealing the victory and silencing the Dodger Stadium crowd.
Ohtani Falls Short
Just 17 hours after a historic Game 3 performance that included four extra-base hits and nine times on base, Ohtani took the mound in Game 4 but wasn’t as sharp. His fastball velocity dipped slightly, and he allowed six hits and four runs across six-plus innings.
At the plate, Ohtani drew a walk in the first inning to extend his World Series record for consecutive times on base to 11, but he went 0-for-3 afterward with two strikeouts.
“We’re facing the best of the best,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “But we still need to find a way to score more runs.”
The Dodgers’ offense managed just six hits and never mounted a serious comeback, as Toronto’s bullpen kept them in check.
Missed Opportunities and Defensive Struggles
The Dodgers scored first for the fourth straight game on a sacrifice fly by Kiké Hernández in the second inning, but they couldn’t maintain that momentum. Key hitters like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith failed to capitalize on scoring chances.
“Our swings just weren’t there,” said manager Dave Roberts. “You’ve got to credit Bieber and their bullpen. They kept us off balance.”
Los Angeles now faces mounting pressure with Game 5 on the horizon and the series heading back to Toronto for Game 6. The Dodgers have thrived this postseason, winning 11 of their last 14, but the Blue Jays are proving they’re not backing down.
What’s Next: Game 5 Matchup
Wednesday night’s Game 5 will feature Dodgers ace Blake Snell (3-1, 2.42 ERA) against Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage (2-1, 4.26 ERA), in a rematch of the series opener. Toronto lit up Snell in Game 1, chasing him in the sixth inning of their 11-4 blowout win.
Yesavage will try to replicate his Game 1 success, where he allowed just two runs over four innings. With the series tied and the winner of Game 5 gaining a significant advantage, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Home-Field Advantage Returns to Toronto
Thanks to Tuesday’s win, the Blue Jays have reclaimed home-field advantage. Game 6 and a potential Game 7 will be played at Rogers Centre, where the Toronto crowd is expected to provide an electric atmosphere.
The Blue Jays will hope to have ALCS MVP George Springer back in the lineup. Springer missed Game 4 after suffering a side injury during a swing in Game 3. His return would add another veteran presence to an already confident team.
As Guerrero put it: “They have to win four games. We’re not done yet.”
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