 At the end of the game, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the game 6–5.On July 29, 2002, Nickle was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with Scott Rolen and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for Plácido Polanco, Mike Timlin, and Bud Smith.On August 28, 2002, he was selected off waivers by the San Diego Padres from the St. Louis Cardinals, and soon after on October 1, 2002, he was selected off waivers again this time by the New York Mets.