The Sox Mark Kotsay has become a key player now that Kevin Youkilis has moved from first to third to fill in for the injured Mike Lowell.

The Providence Journal / Gretchen Ertl

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There are plenty of conflicted baseball fans in these parts thanks to the sudden and improbable rise of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Meet Karina Zabala, 22. She works the front desk at the downtown Courtyard Hotel in St. Pete, about 10 blocks from Tropicana Field. To say the hotel caters to baseball fans is an understatement. When the cleaning staff finishes with your room, they don’t leave mints. They leave peanuts, to take to the ballgame. There are ‘Go Rays’ signs in the lobby and on the windows.

Zabala is playing her part, sort of. She’s wearing a Rays game jersey and greeting all the local fans very politely. But under her name badge is her hometown: Providence, R.I.

A Cranston East grad, Zabala is a Red Sox fan through and through. In fact, she lifted the bottom of her shirt and revealed several Red Sox logos sewn into the opposite side of the Rays jersey.

“I want to buy a Red Sox jersey but I can’t find one right now,” she said. “I’m so happy. Someone just sold me a ticket for $20 to [tonight’s] game. I’ll be there.”

Lowell’s out so Kotsay’s in

Not surprisingly, Mark Kotsay started at first base last night in Game One of the ALCS against the Rays.

Once it was realized that third baseman Mike Lowell (hip) would not be able to play anymore, Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis was shifted to the left side of the infield and Kotsay has been inserted on the right side.

An outfielder by trade, Kotsay does have experience playing the infield, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona said yesterday he didn’t know that this would be the situation.

“No,” admitted Francona. “I knew talking to [general manager Theo Epstein] that Kotsay could [play first base]. I think Theo actually joked with him and told him to bring his first baseman’s glove [when the Red Sox acquired Kotsay from Atlanta in August].”

Francona sat down with Kotsay the day he arrived in New York when the Sox were playing the Yankees to discuss the game plan for him. The newcomer acted like a true veteran and told his new manager “I’ll do whatever you want to help this team win.”

Kotsay immediately started to take ground balls and it didn’t take long for him to get comfortable in the infield.

“He’s really done a good job,” said Francona. “If he played more first base in his career, people would talk about how good of a first baseman he is. The hardest thing for him is that he hasn’t been out there.”

Lowell obviously hurting

Lowell came limping out of the visitor’s clubhouse yesterday afternoon in warmup shorts and a team pullover. At the same time, his teammates began to stretch on the field in preparation for Game One of the ALCS against the Rays.

He continues to receive treatment, but it’s obvious he’s disappointed with his inability to perform in October.

“When he took a deep breath and let the air out, he was hurting,” Francona said. “He was still trying to play and compete and when we finally made a decision, he realized how much he was hurting.”

Francona said the best thing for Lowell right now is to get the inflammation out and get comfortable.

As a result of his absence, Kevin Youkilis is playing third and Mark Kotsay is at first.

Sad news out of Philly

While the Red Sox and the Rays were preparing for Game One of the ALCS, over in the National League, the Phillies and the Dodgers were already in the midst of Game Two of their championship series.

The news coming out of Philly wasn’t all about baseball, however, as Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel’s mother died yesterday morning after a brief illness. June Manuel was 87.

Charlie Manuel, 64, decided it was best to stay with his club and his players responded with an 8-5 victory over the Dodgers.

Francona is a friend of Manuel and said he realizes how tough it must have been to manage the game.

“I would think these next couple of hours are probably a way to get away from reality,” said Francona earlier today.

jmcdonal@projo.com