Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg defended his decision to use Jeanmar Gomez instead of Ken Giles in the eighth inning of the 7-4 loss Sunday. The Phillies trailed by a run heading into the eighth. Giles threw just 11 pitches Friday, his first outing after three days of rest.
Sandberg said he does not like to use Giles and some of the other relievers when the team is trailing. Gomez had not pitched in a win since April 11. Nine of his 11 appearances have come in a Phillies loss. He allowed three hits in the eighth, none more crushing than Johnny Monell's two-run pinch-hit double.