masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Every television in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field is tuned to the Yankees-Red Sox game. Brian Roberts sat on one of the chairs, watching as the Red Sox tried to hold a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning.

They couldn’t do it. Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer to tie the game.

Chris Tillman is the confirmed starter for Wednesday night. No matter what happens in the Bronx, he’s taking the mound at Tropicana Field.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Every television in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field is tuned to the Yankees-Red Sox game. Brian Roberts sat on one of the chairs, watching as the Red Sox tried to hold a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning.

They couldn’t do it. Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer to tie the game.

Chris Tillman is the confirmed starter for Wednesday night. No matter what happens in the Bronx, he’s taking the mound at Tropicana Field.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve just to take it like it’s another one, though. I can’t put too much pressure on myself. It’s not fair to me and it’s not fair to my team. I’ve just got to go out there and kind of keep what I’ve been doing.”

Manager Buck Showalter waited to choose Tillman until after tonight’s 1-0 victory over the Rays.

“I think there were a couple different scenarios going on. They never really told me for sure but they said, ‘We’ll let you know,’ ” said Tillman, who’s 9-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 14 starts.

“I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far this year, but like we’ve been saying all year, we’re not done yet. We’ve got a long way to go. It’s an exciting time for all of us. I can’t tell you how happy I am with this team and the way things have been going, playing good baseball. We’ve just got to keep it going.

“They’re all important. There’s not one game more important than the others. I think it all goes toward the same record. It’s huge, it’s exciting. I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s a big deal and I think any one of these guys could have gotten the ball on that day. We’ve all been throwing well. It’s exciting for all of us. We kind of pick each other up and kind of fuel off each other’s efforts. It’s a lot of fun.”