BOSTON — Behind a closed clubhouse door, the Boston Red Sox celebrated their sixth playoff berth in seven years in the usual way: with spraying beer, commemorative hats and T-shirts, and the customary promises that they will play better once the postseason begins.

"I like our chances," second baseman Dustin Pedroia said, popping out to the concourse to address a few dozen reporters who waited three hours after the Red Sox lost to Toronto for the Texas loss that eliminated Boston's last remaining pursuer. "It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you're in."

The Blue Jays hit six homers — three by Adam Lind — to beat the Red Sox, 8-7, last night and send them to their fifth consecutive loss. But Boston backed into the AL wild-card berth when the Angels beat the Rangers, 5-2, and eliminated Texas from the race.

"We tried to do it on the field," Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. "It's a little different, but I don't think that takes anything away from what we've done."

The Red Sox fell behind 8-2 before scoring five times in the eighth inning and put two on with two outs in the ninth before Jason Frasor got Kevin Youkilis looking on a 3-2 pitch to end it. That spoiled their chances of having an on-field celebration they could share with the Fenway crowd.

"I had that feeling," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said hopefully. "We've had games where we won like that. Just try to get the tying run to the plate and give yourself a chance."