Giles: Pressure, Criticism Got to Him

Bill Giles conceded Tuesday that Philadelphia’s declining fortunes over the past few years were a big part of his decision to relinquish day-to-day control of the team.

In his first public comments since his surprise move of appointing David Montgomery to succeed him as president and chief executive officer Friday, Giles, 63, said continued losing was taking its toll.

“The last two years, I’ve not been a whole lot of fun to be around,” Giles said. “It’s a combination of everything: criticism from the talk shows, from Joe Sixpack and agents. It is time for me to let keener minds figure it out.”

The Phillies are 213-281 since winning the NL pennant in 1993 and are on a pace to lose 112 games this season.

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In an effort to bolster their strained bullpen, the San Francisco Giants promoted right-hander Keith Foulke from triple-A Phoenix and sent outfielder Marvin Benard to Phoenix.

Foulke joins the team for the second time this season. He was 1-1 with a 5.70 earned-run average in five appearances in a previous stint.

Benard, hitting .258 in 40 games, has been San Francisco’s top pinch-hitter. He is hitting .368 with two RBIs in 19 pinch-hit at-bats this season. His seven pinch-hits ranks him third in the NL.

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The Cincinnati Reds are moving their spring training base from Plant City, Fla., to Sarasota, assuming the lease of the Chicago White Sox, who are moving to Arizona. . . . Pete Rose Jr., the son of baseball’s lifetime hits leader, was promoted to the Cincinnati Reds’ triple-A team in Indianapolis.