Tuiasosopo makes history for Knights

Hitting three homers in a game is a pretty special feat on its own. Getting to share that with your children, that's a whole other level of special.

Matt Tuiasosopo launched three long balls and plated a career-high seven runs Friday night, powering Triple-A Charlotte to a 9-5 triumph over Rochester at BB&T Ballpark.

The 29-year-old outfielder wasted no time getting started on his historic night, sending a three-run shot over the right field wall in the first inning off Pat Dean. He took Dean deep again to left for a solo homer in the second, then waited five innings before becoming the eighth player in Knights history to complete a three-homer game when he deposited a three-run blast to left-center off reliever Cole Johnson.

"It was a battle," he said of the third homer. "He was throwing me some sinkers in and front-door breaking balls. I wanted to do whatever I could to get a base hit to score the guy in scoring position. Worked it to a 3-2 count; the more pitches I saw, the more comfortable I got. The pitch I hit out was a breaking ball that he left up that I stayed back on."

With his parents, wife and children among the crowd of 10,312, Tuiasosopo was thrilled to be able to put on a show.

"It's a special night," the Washington native said. "I've played for a long time, I've had a few two-homer games. Today, I was really excited to hurry up and get back up there. It was very special, my family was in town. They were jumping up and down -- I could see them when I was crossing home plate.

"My 2-year-old is always telling me to hit a home run before the game. After, he told me, 'Nice job, daddy.' He loves watching the game, he gets so excited."

Since July 1, Tuiasosopo ranks second in the Minor Leagues behind Louisville's Adam Duvall with 12 homers. During that stretch, the 2004 third-round pick is batting .273 with a 1.002 OPS in 35 International League games.

"I've just been working on the timing of my sequence," he said, "giving myself enough time to get my swing off. As far as statistically, I try not to worry about that. I'm just trying to finish strong and we'll see what happens."

Overall, Tuiasosopo is tied for fourth in the IL with 16 homers and ranks third with a .842 OPS.

While the Major League veteran was putting his name in the record books, Jason Coats and Rob Brantly each had two hits and scored twice, and Kevan Smith plated a run for Charlotte.

Knights starter Scott Carroll (5-2) gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out one over six innings.

Twins top prospect Byron Buxton was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored as he began a rehab assignment with the Red Wings.