Just when people thought the momentum was swing the Los Angeles Dodgers' way, the St. Louis Cardinals showed them who's the boss of the National League.

Despite Hanley Ramirez playing the hero in Game Three with two hits and an RBI, the shortstop looked every bit like a man who had been hit in the ribs by a fastball. Ramirez struck out at all three of his at-bats and even failed to swing at one fastball.

Yasiel Puig, who provided the highlight of Game Three by celebrating his triple, was clearly rattled by the Cardinals' veterans.

St. Louis starting pitcher Lance Lynn directed a 93-mph fastball at Puig's neck. Puig jerked his head just in time, but it was clear Lynn got his goat. The Cuban phenom did score a single later, but unlike Game 3, there was no celebration and the game was already out of reach.

The Cardinals, though, were in a celebratory mood, having come up three games to one in the series. And the way it happened -- two home runs, one from Matt Holiday, 426 feet long, breaking both teams' no-homer streak for the series -- was something worthy of a highlight reel. The drought had been the longest ever since the 1948 World Series. For the Cardinals, it was a welcome treat, as they had been criticised for their lack of offense ever since the postseason started.

When the last batter struck out, there was a pallor hanging over the Hollywood crowd, a sense that the next Dodgers home game might be the last for the season.

Game Five, to be played on Thursday at 6:07 am (Australia time), is a do-or-die game for the Dodgers, who are one game away from saying goodbye to their season. For the Cardinals, it is a golden opportunity to return to the World Series for the fourth time in 10 years. Hanley Ramirez's status is still indefinite after being taken out of the sixth inning of Game Four.

Watch the game LIVE here (10/17/2013 06:07 am AEDT): LINK 1 LINK 2 LINK 3