Late in the season, Cain increased his chances for Rookie of the Year consideration with a run of remarkable pitching. From August 17 to September 14 Cain recorded a 5–0 record with an ERA of 0.21. During this streak, he allowed just one earned run in 42 innings—and did not allow an earned run in innings. He led all National League (NL) rookie pitchers with 13 wins, 179 strikeouts, and innings pitched in 2006. His 2006 record was 13–12, with a 4.15 ERA. Cain finished in a fifth-place tie with Andre Ethier in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.