Matt Carson's Utah homecoming got off to a slow start.

The former BYU star, who is now an outfielder for the Pacific Coast League's Sacramento River Cats, was 0-for-9 at one point in this week's series against the Salt Lake Bees at Spring Mobile Ballpark.

The drought, however, was all but forgotten after a record-tying display of power on Thursday night. Carson equaled a franchise record with three home runs in a win over Salt Lake.

"He's a good ballplayer, a hard-nosed kid, and he's showing his power now," said Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco.

Carson, who signed with the Oakland Athletics last November after beginning his professional career with seven seasons in the New York Yankees' minor league system, is adapting well. The outfielder currently leads the River Cats with nine home runs thus far this season.

"I had a great experience with the Yankees. It's a first-class organization. It's pretty tough to beat them," Carson said. "I was welcome with open arms in Oakland and got every opportunity so far. Hopefully I can start capitalizing a little more."

The A's organization, he added, has a great group of guys.

"This is fun baseball here," Carson said. "It's a lot of fun."

The Southern California native is also enjoying the chance to play out West. After being taken by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2002 draft, Carson's minor league career consisted of stints in Staten Island (N.Y.), Battle Creek (Mich.), Tampa (Fla.), Trenton (N.J.) and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre (Pa.).

Until this week, Carson's post-BYU trips back to Utah were limited to short visits during the offseason. He was eager to play in the state once again.

"As soon as I signed with a Pacific Coast League team that was my first thought — Salt Lake, coming back and seeing some old friends and playing where I started. It was pretty cool," said Carson, who was a two-time, first-team All-Mountain West Conference honoree at BYU. He was also named the league's top freshman after his first season with the Cougars.

"I'm comfortable here," he noted during this week's homecoming of sorts. "I like Utah. I do."

Carson acknowledged feeling good, real good, after his three-homer performance. It was a feat he hadn't accomplishment since playing in the Florida State League earlier in his career.

"That was years ago," Carson said. "So it's been a while since I've hit three."

Exhibiting such power, obviously, should help the 27-year-old take the next step and reach the majors. So, too, will consistency with his at-bats.

The combination thereof, DeFranseco noted, is why he considers Carson "a good free-agent signing." One, he continued, who also happens to be a good outfielder capable of playing all three positions.

"There's a lot of upside," DeFrancesco said.

The upward mobility has Carson just one step away from baseball's top level.

"In Little League, that's what you dream of. You dream of playing in the big leagues. And to be this close, you can kind of taste it," said Carson, who has seen many of his Triple-A teammates get opportunities with the big club. "It's an exciting feeling. It really is."

E-MAIL: dirk@desnews.com