SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain has endured years of little or no run support. He has been San Francisco's second star pitcher behind Tim Lincecum. Cain blew it earlier this month against San Diego when the Giants took their first shot at clinching the NL West.

So, what a day for the outing of his life, and his first career victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in six tries.

Cain pitched seven impressive innings and outdueled 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels for his first postseason win, and the Giants beat the Phillies 3-0 on Tuesday for a 2-1 lead in the NL championship series.

San Francisco grabbed the edge in its best-of-seven series against the two-time defending NL champions — with two more games in their home ballpark.

"I think this is probably the top one I've ever pitched," Cain said. "To be able to pitch in the postseason is great, and to be able to throw the ball well and help your team win is a great feeling."

Cain allowed two hits, struck out five and walked three in a strong 119-pitch effort.

"Matt got into a rhythm and we got to score a couple of runs early for him," center fielder Aaron Rowand said. "Everybody who has followed this team all year has seen after the first couple of innings when he gets into his groove he's tough. He did it again today. Our MVP today was Matt Cain."

Along with Cody Ross, of course.

San Francisco again benefited from Ross' big bat this postseason. Ross delivered for the third time in as many games of this NLCS — this time with home run king Barry Bonds in a front-row seat cheering his former club.

Picked up off waivers in August from Florida, Ross added to his quickly growing postseason legacy. He homered three times in the first two games at Philadelphia and hit an RBI single in Game 3 to break a scoreless tie.

"He plays with no fear," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "That's what you love about the guy."

Ross hit an RBI single in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie and fellow playoff first-timer Aubrey Huff followed with a run-scoring single.

"He's definitely hot," Hamels said. "He's been battling and hitting pitches that most normal people can't hit at this time."

This marked the third great pitching matchup in as many games of this NLCS. First, it was Roy Halladay vs. Lincecum, then Roy Oswalt and Jonathan Sanchez.

Joe Blanton will start for the Phillies in Game 4 tonight, though manager Charlie Manuel considered Halladay on short rest. Blanton last pitched one inning of relief on the final day of the season, an 8-7 loss at Atlanta, and has not started since Sept. 29.

Rookie Madison Bumgarner starts for the Giants in his first career matchup against the Phillies. He pitched the division series clincher at Atlanta.