Takeaways from Dodgers-Padres Game 4: Dodgers offense and bullpen respond, forcing Game 5 

After back-to-back losses, the Los Angeles Dodgers punched back, forcing a decisive Game 5 at home against the San Diego Padres.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers quieted the Petco Park crowd in San Diego, shutting out the Padres, 8-0, to even the best-of-five series at two games apiece. L.A. ran away with the game early, gaining a 5-0 advantage through three innings before riding a shutdown effort from its bullpen to victory.

Here are three takeaways from the action:

Dodgers lineup picks up the slack without their best hitter

With their backs against the wall without first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Miguel Rojas, the Dodgers did what they've done all season: overcome.

Left with a hole in the No. 3 slot, manager Dave Roberts moved everyone up in the Dodgers lineup, which paid huge dividends. 

Leading off, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts unsurprisingly produced a home run and three RBI, but Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy and Will Smith filled the void in the middle of the order, tallying four hits, four runs and two RBI.

There's a possibility that Freeman could be available for Game 5. If not, the Dodgers have proven they can produce at the plate without him.

Dave Roberts pushed all the right buttons

The Dodgers had allowed 21 runs through three games and entered Wednesday in the unenviable position of relying on their bullpen to hold things down on the mound. However, Roberts made all the right calls with their season on the line.

L.A.'s bullpen shut out San Deigo, combining for eight strikeouts. Meanwhile, the Padres finished with only seven hits, four of which came with the score 8-0, and went 0-of-9 with runners in scoring position.

In total, Roberts used eight pitchers but played it smart. None threw more than 1.2 innings, which means they'll be fresh for Game 5 on Friday, especially with a day's rest in between.

Padres decision to start Dylan Cease could be costly

After being roughed up for five earned runs over 3.1 innings in Game 1, Cease looked no better on Wednesday. This time, the right-hander lasted only 1.2 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs, including a home run to the second batter he faced, Dodgers right fielder Betts.

It may not be fair to judge Cease alone for his performance. Manager Mike Shildt should take a slice for starting him on three days rest, something the six-year veteran had never done in his career.

Yu Darvish was always in line to start Game 5, but Shildt may have out-thought himself on Wednesday. Had he gone with a bullpen game, like the Dodgers, the Padres may have had a better chance at avoiding the predictable disaster in Game 4 while still having Cease available to come out of the pen on Friday.

Instead, San Diego will be down at least one arm while the Dodgers head home with all the momentum.