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Come Fan with UsThursday, August 6, 2026

Phillies Vs. Giants, NLCS Game 3: Matt Cain Escapes Probable Final Jam

Matt Cain is almost certainly done after a difficult seventh inning. But he was able to escape with his shutout intact.

The inning actually started well, with consecutive outs. Cain only got in trouble with two down and none on, when he clipped Carlos Ruiz's elbow with an inside pitch and then walked pinch-hitter Ross Gload. That brought Bruce Bochy out of the dugout for a quick chat, but Bochy returned having left Cain on the hill to face Shane Victorino, and after a six-pitch battle that saw Cain fall behind 3-1, Victorino grounded out to second to end the threat.

Cain's pitch count ran up to 119, and with relievers warming in the dugout, he should be finished. The Giants couldn't have asked for much more. His performance:

7 innings
2 hits
0 runs
3 walks
5 strikeouts

Meanwhile, Jose Contreras is on in relief of Cole Hamels to start the bottom of the seventh. Hamels' performance:

6 innings
5 hits
3 runs
1 walk
8 strikeouts

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