For the second night in a row, the Altoona Curve used the long ball to take down the Reading Fightin’ Phils in an 8-4 win.

The 4,799 fans in attendance at PNG Field got more than they bargained for with the rockets off the Curve bats, and an appearance by Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin who started his rehab assignment Wednesday night.

Griffin was hit by a pitch in his first at bat and scored on a home run by Lonnie White, Jr. that gave Altoona a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

“We’re just taking advantage of balls in the middle of the plate and not missing our pitch,” Curve manager Andy Fox said. “Early in the year we probably missed those pitches, but now guys are gaining confidence through their process and things like that, and they’re not missing them.”

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Curve's Lonnie White Jr. crosses home plate after his two-run homer.

The Fightin’ Phils tied it in the third inning after Jordan Dissin hit a double, which advanced Luke Ritter to third. Ritter scored on a sacrifice fly by Bryan Rincon while Dissin scored on a single by Pedro Leon to complete the scoring in the third inning.

Reading scored another run in the fourth to put the Fightin’ Phils up 3-2.

Then some Griffin magic took place.

The Pirates rookie roped a ball that one-hopped the wall for a stand-up triple to score Will Taylor and plate the tying run. Griffin then scored on a passed ball just a few pitches later to give the Curve a 4-3 lead.

“We got to see it for six weeks, two months last year, and he can impact the game,” Altoona manager Andy Fox said. “He can impact the game with his glove, he can impact the game with his legs, his bat, you name it. And that’s why he’s a talented player.”

The Altoona offense found some insurance runs in the seventh inning, courtesy of a pair of two two-run home runs. The first was off the bat of Griffin, who hit one onto the hillside beyond the party deck in left field, to score Duce Gourson who singled prior to Griffin’s at bat.

“I’m just trying to do my job, get on base, and score runs, try to be a tough out, and just try to be on time, especially not being in games for a few weeks, just try to get my timing back down, and it ended up being good.”

Jack Brannigan got in on the long-ball parade with a home run that hit in the middle of the scoreboard, which scored White and put a bow on four straight Curve hitters reaching base and scoring in the inning.

The seventh inning home run marked the end of Griffin’s night as he finished 2-for-2 with a triple and home run while also drawing a walk and hit-by-pitch. He scored three times and had three RBI.

Reading scored again in the ninth, but it was to no avail as the rally was thwarted by the Curve defense as they start the second half of the campaign 2-0 after Tuesday night’s win.

First impression

Curve reliever Cristhian Tortosa made his Double A debut in the fifth inning and tossed two shutout innings and three strikeouts.

“It was good to get Tortosa in the game,” Fox said. “I’ve never seen him pitch, but he filled it up and found the zone.”

Starter Connor Oliver went four innings and allowed three runs on six hits.

Landon Tomkins took over in the seventh and pitched the final three innings of the game. He allowed only one run in the ninth inning to shut the door on Reading.

“Tomkins being able to grab three innings with the bullpen game tomorrow, that was huge, being able to shut it down,” Fox said.

Up next

LHP Connor Wietgrefe takes the mound for Altoona tonight. He hurled seven shutout innings and struck out eight against Akron in his last start.