Rays roll into wild-card tie with Red Sox, but still struggle at the box office

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The skies looked a little brighter over the home of the Rays this morning, as the home team has finally caught the wretchedly reeling Red Sox.

"If people would start coming, it would be even better," said Rays fan Bob Hultin.

Indeed, with just 18,772 Rays rooters round the Trop Monday night, the giddy excitement of a rays win -- coupled with that Red Sox sinking by the Orioles that put the two teams in a flat-footed tie for the remaining playoff wild-card position -- was somewhat subdued.

"Was it sad to see less than 20,000 people here in the stands?" I asked Melvin Wrubel "Yes," he said emphatically. "So I said I was coming..."

Today at the ticket office, a steady stream of fans made their way here looking for a chance to get a last look at their Rays. But it seemed most fans were waiting for Wednesday.

"Last regular season game... I'll be here," said Tomas Francisco -- freshly purchased tickets in hand.

"Potentially, the last time you'll see your team?" I posited.

"I hope not," he said. "This year? Maybe. Maybe not."

Of course, team officials are hoping NOT. And they're feverishly making plans for the playoffs should the boys of summer -- now playing in the fall -- can continue.

"There's a lot of excitement around here," said Rays Vice President of sales and service, Brian Richeson. "That's for sure."

He explained that even with two regular season contests remaining, for him, it's all about the playoffs

"One of the things that the post-season helps us do is to reach out to our fans more efficiently," he explained. "We have a free sign up through RaysBaseball.com where you basically sign up for a lottery for any post season games that could be played here at the Trop during the post season."

That doesn't include the potential 163rd regular season game -- a winner goes on, loser goes home bonus contest -- here at the Trop should the Rays and Sox still remained tied after tomorrow night. Those ducats drop tomorrow morning.

"If it's a one game playoff -- I'm going to it," said Rays fan Michael Sweizer. "I'm in."

Of course, the Rays have got to do well over the next 48 hours to get there. And they're going to need that crowd support.

"So," I asked season-ticket holder Rob Rowen, "You coming out here tonight?"

"Oh yeah," he enthused. "And tomorrow!"

Let's hope he's got a lot of friends along for the ride.