Step off the ledge, go into your refrigerator and pop a celebratory Guinness or your favorite beer of choice and celebrate Red Sox fans. The Tigers loss last night and the Sox win clinched a spot in the American League playoffs. It might not be the AL East title yet but at least the Red Sox won’t be golfing this offseason. Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched well but Javier Lopez couldn’t hold the lead for him. Jason Varitek bailed him out with a game tying home run in the 9th and Julio Lugo hit a two-run blast off of his former team to give the Sox the lead. Jonathan Papelbon came in and finished off the game for his 36th save and probably the most important one as it saved the day for the Red Sox as they clinched a playoff spot. The Red Sox can now focus on winning the division but most importantly, they can focus on getting Manny and Youk and everyone else healthy for the playoffs. Now that the Sox have clinched, let’s take a look at the headlines and happenings from the Boston and Tampa area on a great day in Red Sox Nation.
Sox clinch spot with rally in 9th [Boston Globe]
Late Homers Lift Boston [Tampa Tribune]
Everyone remain calm; Sox will be in playoffs [Boston Herald]
Rays give Red Sox reason to celebrate [St. Petersburg Times]
Sox Cash In Late Returns [Hartford Courant]
Sox apply clincher [Pro Jo]
Arms Race Will Heat Up In Offseason [Tampa Tribune]
Matsuzaka: Toast instead of toast of the town [Boston Globe]
Reyes hopes to stick around [St. Petersburg Times]
They’re not just happy to be there anymore [Boston Herald]
Buchholz Heading To Pen? [Hartford Courant]
Reyes Excited To Be Returning To Team [Tampa Tribune]
Youkilis not ready to play; no timetable for Ramirez [Pro Jo]
Boras urges Rays to prepare to overspend [St. Petersburg Times]
Beckett embraces ace’s role [Boston Herald]
They’re preparing for a bigger party [Boston Globe]
For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, Providence Journal, St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.
