Red Sox act like they've been there after clincher

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 23, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - By the end of the eighth inning Saturday night, the Red Sox knew that Detroit had lost, and if they could rally in the ninth against the Rays at Tropicana Field, they would clinch a playoff spot.

"(The scoreboard is) right in front of your face, you can't help but look," Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. "Why not? This is a fun time to scoreboard watch."

Boston's 8-6 ninth-inning comeback win, combined with Detroit's 7-4 loss to the Royals, clinched at least a wild-card spot for the Red Sox. But the AL East leaders - who remained 2 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees, who beat the Blue Jays 12-11 earlier in the day - don't want to be satisfied with simply making the playoffs.

As the Red Sox became the second team to clinch a postseason berth at the Trop (they also clinched the wild card here in 2004), Boston players sprinted out of the dugout after the final out and modestly celebrated on the field, sharing hugs and high-fives. Empty champagne flutes were spread along the Red Sox clubhouse, but other than that there was no remnant of Boston's closed-door team toast. It definitely wasn't the cover-the-lockers-down-with-plastic kind of celebration. In fact, the flute in slugger David Ortiz's locker was still half full.

"We realize this isn't the only thing we have our goals set on," closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "No one can expect more from this team than the guys in this clubhouse right now."

Manager Terry Francona scoffed at the idea of a extravagant celebration before the game, but given Boston's dramatic comeback in the ninth - capped by Julio Lugo's winning two-run homer - Francona said the toast was fitting.

"It was about as roller-coaster as you could get," he said. "You can't script or fake how you're going to feel, and after the way the game ended, it was very appropriate to just meet for a second."

Boston (92-63) has its eyes not only on the division title but homefield advantage. The Red Sox now have the best record in the AL, a half-game ahead of the Indians.

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 01:11:19]