Mike Lowell of the Red Sox gives fans a champagne bath after the team clinched a playoff spot by edging the Indians, 5-4, last night at Fenway Park.

The Providence Journal / Gretchen Ertl

BOSTON — If the sight of a champagne- and Bud Lite-drenched David Ortiz wearing swim goggles is getting old, it didn’t seem so in the middle of the Red Sox’ clubhouse last night.

After Jonathan Papelbon had retired the side in order in the ninth inning to preserve a 5-4 victory over the Indians, a spirited celebration broke out on the Fenway Park grass and inside a raucous clubhouse. As he’s so often been in the Red Sox’ string of five playoff appearances in the last six seasons, Ortiz was enjoying every minute. The team’s big slugger cradled two Buds in one hand and fired the cork of a Korbel champagne bottle high into the air as he let out a loud scream.

“In the playoffs, anything can happen,” said Ortiz. “We’re a good team. We’re different than the last couple years, but we can do something special.”

The Red Sox will be in next week’s playoffs. Right now they’re the American League’s wildcard team. They face long odds in trying to catch Tampa Bay for the Eastern Division crown, but at this point the Sox are simply relieved to know they’ll be in the postseason once again.

“Like Tito (manager Terry Francona) says, stay in the moment,” said infielder Alex Cora. “Hopefully, we’ll have four more of these parties. We want to win the East, but there is room to celebrate, too.”

As Ortiz led the cheers in the middle of the room, other celebrations broke out a few feet away. Mike Timlin held his 12-year-old son, Jake, on his shoulders. Kevin Youkilis and Jed Lowrie both mimicked Ortiz with the goggle look and sprayed anyone in sight. Daisuke Matsuzaka also wore goggles, but that seemed like a preventative measure because several teammates made sure to douse him with their favorite beverage.

After about 15 minutes by themselves, most of the players returned to the field and saluted several thousand fans who had remained in the stands. Papelbon did not break out any of the manic dancing moves that he showed in last year’s run to the world championship, but he was seemingly bouncing off the walls when the group returned to the clubhouse.

“I think it’s a huge accomplishment, but it’s not our goal,” said Francona. “I don’t care for (a celebration) to be scripted. If guys want to run around the clubhouse and spray each other, that’s good. … Because you’ve had success in prior years, I don’t see why a group in the present shouldn’t enjoy what they’re trying to accomplish.”

kmcnamar@projo.com