Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CURVE, Pa. — Beginning his Major League Rehab assignment from the Pirates, Konnor Griffin made his presence known as the Curve utilized his power to take an 8-4 win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Wednesday night in front of 4,799 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

The game started off quickly for the Altoona Curve as Griffin was hit by a pitch in the first inning by top Phillies prospect Gage Wood, which set Lonnie White Jr up for a two-run home run to provide starting pitcher lefty Connor Oliver with run support.

Oliver pitched four innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. Oliver exited the game with the Curve down 3-2, turning the ball over to LHP Cristhian Tortosa, who made his Altoona debut against his former team, who struck out three over two scoreless innings of relief.

In the fifth innings, the bats came alive again. Griffin slammed an RBI triple to right-center field, which scored Will Taylor and then came in to score on a passed ball.

In the seventh inning, the Curve would take control. Duce Gourson singled with two outs, and then Griffin blasted a two-run home run down the left field line. After a Lonnie White Jr. walk, Jack Brannigan followed in Griffin’s footsteps with a two-run home run of his own to extend the lead to 8-3.

Landon Tomkins tossed three innings in relief for the third time this season to wrap up the win. He allowed one run in the ninth inning and earned his first save of the season finishing off the 8-4 Altoona Curve victory.