Los Angeles—The Boston Red Sox produced a stunning late rally to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 and move to the brink of their ninth World Series crown on Saturday.
First baseman Steve Pearce smashed a game-tying home run in the eighth inning and then belted a three-run double in the top of the ninth to cap a superb fightback from Boston, who now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
The Red Sox, who can clinch the Major League Baseball crown with victory in game five at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, had earlier trailed 4-0 after Yasiel Puig’s three-run homer put the Dodgers ahead in the sixth inning.
The Red Sox ignited their fightback in the bottom of the seventh inning when pinch hitter Mitch Moreland bludgeoned a three-run homer to move Boston to within one run.
Pearce’s homer off Kenley Jansen tied it up at 4-4 in the eighth inning and the relentless Red Sox then went 5-4 ahead through Rafael Devers’ single in the top of the ninth that allowed Brock Holt to scamper home.
Pearce’s three-run double made certain of the outcome before Xander Bogaerts’ drove in a further run to score Pearce and give Boston a 9-4 advantage as Dodgers fans headed for the exits.
Dodgers pinch hitter Enrique Hernandez raised hopes of an improbable comeback with a two-run homer early in the ninth inning but Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel held firm to get the final three outs to leave Boston with one hand on the championship.