Julio Lugo rounds third base after hitting a two-run homer in the ninth inning of last night’s game.

AP / Steve Nesius

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The hope is that last night was just a checkpoint along the way, the first of several this fall. But fresh off a dramatic comeback in the ninth that clinched — at the very least — a playoff appearance, the Red Sox couldn’t help but observe a short clubhouse celebration after their 8-6 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

“I don’t think there’s a person in the clubhouse that has their sights set on anything less than winning the American League pennant,” said closer Jonathan Papelbon who punctuated the win with his 36th save. “We have a lot of expectations for ourselves. We realize this isn’t the only thing we have for a goal.”

“We’re where we want to be — in the playoffs,” said Julio Lugo, whose two-run homer in the ninth provided the winning margin after Jason Varitek had led off the inning with a game-tying solo shot. “The most important thing is to get in (to the postseason).”

The Sox win came after the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers, 7-4. That game, coupled with the Sox’ win, eliminated the Tigers, the defending A.L. champions, from postseason consideration.

The victory also helped the Sox maintain their 2 ½ game lead over the Yankees in the A.L. East and dropped their magic number to six to win their first division title since 1995. The Sox have seven games remaining. The playoff appearance will be the 18th in Red Sox franchise history and manager Terry Francona will become the first Sox manager to take them to the postseason three times.

For those searching for omens, the Sox also clinched a playoff berth here in 2004, when they went on to win their first World Series in 86 years.

The last two days, the Sox had debated the propriety of celebrating a playoff spot with the division title still up for grabs. But given the nature of the win, taking a few minutes to commemorate the achievement seemed appropriate. The club closed the clubhouse for a few minutes and had a brief toast.

“It was good that we meet for a second,” said Francona. “We have huge aspirations, but there’s nothing wrong with taking five minutes to recognize this accomplishment. I get a kick out of seeing the enjoyment on (the players’) faces.”

For a time, it seemed as though any celebration would have to be postponed for at least a day. The Sox carried a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh and Daisuke Matsuzaka recorded the first two outs without incident. But he then walked fellow countryman Akinori Iwamura and Jorge Velandia and, with lefty Carlos Pena due, gave way to Javier Lopez.

Lopez got ahead 0-and-2, but Pena worked the count full before Pena drilled a 3-and-2 pitch into the seats in right, giving the Devil Rays a 6-5 lead.

“The more pitches you throw (Pena), like all good hitters,” said Francona, “the more dangerous they become.”

The Sox went meekly in the eighth against Warwick’s Dan Wheeler, but with closer Al Reyes on in the ninth, Varitek drilled a pitch out to left, his second homer in as many nights.

“I think he wills himself to be a winner,” said Francona of his catcher and team captain. “Certain people have the ability to do that with the game on the line.”

The Varitek homer stirred the crowd, which was dominated by Red Sox fans. A double down the line by Eric Hinske was next, and after a popup by Coco Crisp, Lugo rode to the rescue.

“I felt like David Ortiz running around the bases,” said a smiling Lugo. “It’s nice to be able to do something to help us win.”

J.D. Drew also was a big contributor, doubling home a run in the fourth as the Sox jumped out a 3-0 lead over Tampa starter Andy Sonnanstine. Drew later added his 10th homer in the sixth, a two-run shot that serves as his first multi-run homer since June 8. The three-RBI night was his first since June 15.

Matsuzaka, pitching with the benefit of seven days rest, limited the Rays to three runs through the first six innings. But the two walks and the homer by Pena robbed him of a chance to win his 15th game.

“It’s kind of shame — he battled so hard,” said Francona.

“Of course, going into tonight’s game, I knew it was a situation where I could be the winning pitcher (in the clinching game),” said Matsuzaka. “But now, I’m excited to be in the playoffs.”

smcadam@projo.com