ST. LOUIS — Alissa Nicks was the perfect choice as the Cardinals’ honorary bat girl on Sunday. Not only is she a breast cancer survivor and an ardent fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, she’s also a diehard Cardinals fan who attended more than 20 games at Busch Stadium in 2010.
The club joined all of Major League Baseball in participating in the annual “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative on Mother’s Day. Nicks was chosen as the honorary bat girl, participating in pregame ceremonies, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and sitting in the stands with family and friends for the Redbirds’ 3-1 win over Milwaukee.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “Getting to go down on the field was really cool. I couldn’t think of anything when I was throwing that pitch, other than just ‘Throw, throw throw.’ That was pretty neat.”
Nicks was diagnosed with the disease in 2000 at the age of 17. Her cancer has been in remission for 10 years now, and she is the leader of the “Alissa’s Hope” team in the annual “Race for the Cure.” Alissa’s Hope raised nearly $20,000 in the 2010 “Race for the Cure,” the fund raising event that helps to raise awareness of breast cancer and fund research to defeat the disease.
“I started the race team four years ago, doing little fund-raisers that turn into big fund-raisers,” she said. “We did a trivia night we call ‘Pinkapalooza,’ and that’s where we raise the majority of our funds. We usually have between 20 and 40 people on our team each year. It’s a lot bigger following than I ever would have expected.”
Cardinals players, of course, also got in on the event. Most of the club donned some sort of article of pink clothing (shoes, wristbands) or swung a pink bat in honor of the cause.
“It’s good,” said reliever Miguel Batista. “It will be the first time in my life I’ve worn pink shoes. I definitely have something to tell my daughters.”
ST. LOUIS — Ryan Theriot returned to the Cardinals’ lineup on Sunday after missing one day because of a left shin contusion. Allen Craig, who has a similar injury, was held out for one more day.
Theriot was hit by a pitch on his shin on Friday night and played three more innings in that game before he was removed. He sat out Saturday, but was reinstated in the lineup on Sunday. Craig fouled a ball off his left shin later in that same game.
Craig was feeling better and moving better on Sunday morning.
“I feel much better,” Craig said Sunday. “I could have played yesterday [if needed]. It was sore, but it wouldn’t have jeopardized me. I’m not going to risk any injury. It’s just sore. I’m starting to get that bruising out now.”
ST. LOUIS — Skip Schumaker took a significant step forward in his rehabilitation from a right triceps strain on Sunday.
After consulting with Dr. George Paletta, the Cardinals’ head team physician, Schumaker was cleared to begin swinging a bat and throwing overhand. He took some swings off a tee on Sunday afternoon and began a throwing program as well. He had been limited to taking ground balls and throwing underhand.
“Day by day,” Schumaker said. “We’ll go from there.”
Schumaker has not played since April 15, and a target date for his return has not yet been set.
• Nick Stavinoha and Tony Cruz each had two hits, including a home run apiece, in Triple-A Memphis’ 7-6 loss to Albuquerque on Saturday.
• Ryan Jackson broke out of a slump with a single, a double and a home run, but Double-A Springfield lost to Arkansas, 5-4. Jackson had been 1-for-19 in his previous six games.
• D’Marcus Ingram had four of Class A Palm Beach’s seven hits in a 3-0 loss to St. Lucie.
• Carlos Martinez and Kevin Siegrist combined on a two-hitter, leading Class A Quad Cities past Wisconsin, 1-0.
As should surprise no one, Martinez is the player of the day. His United States professional debut was a dazzler, as the right-hander did not allow a hit in four innings. He struck out six against one walk. Martinez, 19, signed with the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent in 2010.