Gardner comes through after getting good-luck bracelet

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera, friendly rivals for a Yankees outfield spot, both came through on Friday to lift New York to a ninth-inning comeback victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Gardner, who entered the game after Johnny Damon was ejected for arguing a called third strike in the third inning, had an inside-the-park home run, a single and a lead-off triple that sparked New York's ninth-inning comeback.

Cabrera delivered the game-winner, a bases-loaded, two-out single to left off Joe Nathan, for a 5-4 victory after the closer intentionally walked Robinson Cano to pitch to him.

Gardner revealed later that he had a good luck charm that came in handy in a game in which the Yankees trailed throughout and were down 4-2 entering the ninth.

The speedy Yankee rookie had visited a group of kids at a children's hospital on Friday afternoon and was given a keepsake.

"A little girl gave me a bracelet," the light-hitting Gardner told reporters. "She said if I kept it, I'd hit a home run every time.

"I had it in my locker and I'll take it with me everywhere I go."

Gardner said it was an important victory for the team.

"It's huge," he said. "We've been saying the past couple of weeks that we aren't playing our best baseball. For us to come back and win a ball game like this and get the fans excited and into it is very important."

The victory pushed the Yanks over the .500 mark to an 18-17 record.

Gardner beat out Cabrera for the starting center-field job to open the season, but after struggling at the plate Cabrera took over the role.

"We knew in the spring no matter who wins the job to expect us both to play a part this season," said Gardner. "Melky came through with a big hit."

Cabrera said he and Gardner cheer each other on.

"The manager has really used us well," Cabrera said through an interpreter. "We're friends and we stay ready when called on and do what we can do."

(Editing by Ian Ransom; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)