The Yankees scored eight runs tonight, two on two monster home runs.

The first came early in the game, in the second inning off of the bat of the newly-engaged (mazel tov!) Nick Swisher. It was a bomb, the only question was whether or not it was fair or foul. It was fair, and the Yankees took a 2-0 lead, which, thanks to the effort of Phil Hughes, they never gave up.

The second came much later, in the seventh inning, a bases-loaded, no one out, grand slam off the bat of Robinson Canó, who was hitting in the clean-up spot as Alex Rodriguez got the day off. That home run, a monster shot, capped a 3-4, 4 RBI (with BB) night for Canó.

The eight runs are the first time the Yankees have scored more than four runs in a game since the ill-faited Tampa Bay series, and the most they’ve scored since game one of the Boston set on the Monday before last.

One could say that Curtis Granderson’s return has certainly helped the line up, although with a bottom four of Juan Miranda, Brett Gardner, Ramiro Peña and Chad Moeller, one could also argue that the Yankees did so with their shortest line up of the season.

Also not to be overlooked is the performance of one Mr. Phil Hughes. He started the night by striking out five of the first six batters he faced (five in a row, actually), and it was indeed a harbinger of good things to come, as he went seven innings, allowing two runs, and striking out eight.

It was a stellar bounce-back effort after his first loss of the year against the Mets. Yes, Cleveland is a last-place team, but it may be just what Hughes–and the Yankees–needed to get back on track.