The Final 9

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays are going to the playoffs.
Saturday's emotionally-driven 7-2 win over the Twins in front of a home sellout crowd of 36,048, clinched the Rays' franchise-first postseason appearance. Additionally, the win -- coupled with Boston's loss to Toronto -- extends Tampa Bay's lead atop the American League East to 2 1/2 games.

The Rays' Division Series playoff destination will shake out in the final week of the season. Assuming the Rays win the AL East and Boston wins the Wild Card, the Rays will open at home against the Central winner, either the White Sox or Twins, while the Red Sox would open at the Angels, who have the AL's best record. Should Boston win the East and the Rays get the Wild Card, the Rays would open at Anaheim, while the Red Sox would host the Central Division champion. The Division Series is a best-of-five set.

Carlos Pena's two-out double in the third inning wasn't just clutch -- it had some luck involved, as well. Initially, it appeared the Tampa Bay first baseman popped up to Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer, but the ball hit Tropicana Field's catwalk in foul territory and per the dome's ground rules, was a dead ball. After working the count full, Pena laced a double hit into center field to plate the Rays' first pair of runs.

The offense padded starter Scott Kazmir's cushion with three runs in the fifth inning and a pair of solo homers from Fernando Perez and Cliff Floyd in the sixth and seventh frames, respectively.

Rays clinch club's first playoff spot....