Red Sox clinch a spot in the postseason

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In this most unusual of seasons, it was only fitting that there be some sort of unexpected yet unforgettable punctuation.

Sunday, a Yastrzemski sent the Red Sox to the postseason. It was an unforgettable line in an unforgettable run to the playoffs.

Just about the time the Red Sox were wrapping up a very lackluster 5-1 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field, Chad Tracy's team got all the help they needed, thanks to a familiar name: Atlanta's Mike Yastrzemski, who broke open the Braves' game against the Astros with a sixth-inning three-run homer.

It was all the Braves and the Red Sox needed. With the Astros' loss, Boston officially earned the right to keep playing past the 162 regular-season games. What was a 9.4 percent chance at making the postseason on June 24 (according to FanGraphs), is now officially a 100 percent proposition.

The loss to the Rays did force the Red Sox to sit around the visitors' clubhouse, waiting out the final three innings of the Astros game, with a team of Tropicana Field maintenance workers standing outside with ladders and plastic, which would be used to protect the players' lockers from the celebratory, alcohol-fueled showers.

Finally, about 30 minutes after they had piled into the room, a cheer went up, and the champagne went in.

After a brief moment together, the entire team emptied onto the field, with many wearing their traditional ski goggles, for the team photo before going back in to kick the celebration in high gear. The signature moment (besides a few players unsuccessfully attempting to reach the Rays tank in center field) was Willson Contreras speaking to the club, expressing his pride and gratitude.

More to come ...