There is also the possibility that Gothmog was not part of the set hierarchy. It could have been coincidence that the command passed to him. After the Witch-King (the Commander)'s death, the command would fall to the next highest-ranking commander/general, not necessarily the set second-in-command. Gothmog could have been a lieutenant of Minas Morgul, who happened to be with the army that day, and to whom the leadership fell. It all depends on how you read the phrase "the Lieutenant of Minas Morgul." Just because the word "the" is used doesn't necessarily mean that Gothmog was the only lieutenant of Minas Morgul, there could have been others, just not present at that sector.
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But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.
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