LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — Putting his cut fastball in the mix for the first time this spring, Cardinals starter Jeff Suppan had his sharpest start so far because of two things, he said.

"Tempo and rhythm."

He added: "Those are pretty much the same word."

Concentrating on setting a steady and upbeat tempo to his start, Suppan worked four innings and allowed four hits against Atlanta on Sunday. Suppan, sporting a 24.92 ERA entering the start, had a total-game test Sunday - from hitting to running to pitching - but was buoyed by more than tempo. His stuff and location came together for the first time.

"He is a location, change-of-speeds pitcher," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "And it takes a little time during the spring to get all of your pitches going and getting the command of them going."

In his first start, Suppan used primarily fastballs and changeups, and he was raked for nine earned runs on nine hits. In his second start, all of his pitches strayed up in the strike zone. He was laced for five hits, three earned runs. On Sunday, he threw first-pitch strikes to 14 of 15 batters. He got all four of his pitches over for 0-1 counts, and his lone walk came on a borderline outside pitch.

"Location has always been No. 1 for me," said Suppan, who has won 16 games each of the past two seasons for the Cardinals. "My location has improved with each start. ... For me, each of my pitches complements another pitch. I've improved on pitches, pitch location, pitch selection and my rhythm."

Suppan also became the first Cardinals pitcher this season to bat, as manager Tony La Russa will no longer use the designated hitter when it's his choice. The hit-and-run was on for the first pitch to Suppan, and he lined a single up the middle. He scored to put the Cardinals up 2-0, and then took the mound to for a swift, four-batter, one-hit scoreless inning.

The one run given up by Suppan came in on a double play.

"His curveball is still coming, but ... his cutter was good, he sank the ball when he tried," Duncan said.

Mateo hurls

Righthanded prospect Juan Mateo, a Rule 5 pick by the Cardinals, pitched for the first time Sunday, getting a line out and a fly out from the two batters he faced. Mateo was plucked out of the Cubs' organization's Class A club, but he arrived late to camp because of visa trouble and lagged behind the other pitchers.

As a Rule 5 selection, Mateo must stay on the Cardinals' 25-man roster for the entire season to become part of their organization or a trade must be worked out before the end of spring. Otherwise, he'll be offered back to the Cubs.

La Russa said he plans to pitch the 23-year-old every three days or so, and make a decision when it is demanded.

Schumaker dazzles

Outfielder Skip Schumaker, 26, made his third dazzling catch in as many games Sunday. Brian McCann's crack to deep right-center looked like a certain double, but Schumaker gloved it on the run.

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