Red Sox recover to beat Dodgers 9-6 in Game 4 of the World Series

LOS ANGELES – An 18-inning loss in Game 3 of the World Series couldn't wear out the Boston Red Sox. A four-run deficit late in Game 4 definitely didn't faze them.

Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth inning and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Red Sox emphatically rallied for a 9-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night, moving to the cusp of their fourth championship in 15 seasons.

"A great team win, a much-needed win, especially after what happened yesterday," Pearce said. "I just love this team's fight."

Pinch hitter Rafael Devers singled home Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth as Boston roared to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven matchup.

Game 5 is Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Boston picked Game 2 winner David Price to start on short rest against fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw.

Shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth put the Dodgers up 4-0, Boston's incredible surge began with pinch hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer.

"We kept our heads in the right place," Moreland said.

An unlikely candidate to become the latest Red Sox postseason hero, Pearce did it twice. The 35-year-old journeyman connected off All-Star Kenley Jansen for the tying homer in the eighth, and he cleared the bases one inning later with a double to the gap.

Kiké Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Los Angeles, which could become the first team to lose the World Series on its home field in back-to-back seasons since the New York Giants lost at the Polo Grounds to the Yankees in 1936 and 1937.

"We're not out yet," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Our guys aren't done."

Less than 17 hours after Max Muncy's 18th-inning homer for the Dodgers ended the longest game in World Series history at 7 hours, 20 minutes, the teams were back on the field in Chavez Ravine.

Game 4 was only 3 hours, 57 minutes but had at least as many dramatic twists.

Moreland got the comeback started with his three-run shot off Ryan Madson. Pearce then repeated the Game 3 feat of Jackie Bradley Jr., who also hit a tying homer off Jansen in the eighth.

Dodger Stadium was already full of tension when Holt doubled in the ninth off Dylan Floro. Devers sent him home with a single to center — and three batters later, Pearce cleared the bases.