Murphy good against the Mets again, so what else is new?

NEW YORK - Daniel Murphy returned to Citi Field again in his second season with the Nationals and delivered again. Murphy had a two-run triple that highlighted a five-run fifth inning outburst as the Nats won for the fourth time in a row in Flushing this season.

The boo birds cascaded down on Murphy during his first few at-bat intros, similar to the treatment Bryce Harper receives on the road. It really can be received as a sign of respect for Murphy, who was the National League Championship Series MVP while with the Mets as they made it to the World Series in 2015.

Manager Dusty Baker had the same scenario happen to him in his playing days when he moved on to a new team and then was heartily booed upon his return for games against his former home team.

"Well, I hope he's fueled the rest of his career," Baker said. "Whatever he needs, the fueling. He'll probably say no, but I was in his position a couple times and it's big what Murphy's done here. He's sort of quieted the boos. Early they booed him, but it wasn't his fault. But, hey, I'm glad we got him."

Harper launched his 17th homer in the first, and he is used to the negative feedback from fans when he steps to the dish on the road. He said Murphy is a good hitter no matter what venue he bats in and doesn't need any extra motivation.

"I don't know. Daniel is Daniel," Harper said. "He's going to go about it the right way every single day and do his job. He's so good at his craft I don't think it matters where he plays or what kind of day he's having or anything like that. He's a great teammate."

Gio Gonzalez, who notched the win with seven strong innings to go to 6-1 agrees with Harper. He said Murphy been in a nice groove all season. What else is new.

"It's not only against the Mets," Gonzalez said. "Murph's been hitting pretty much a lot of pitchers. Been doing it even when he was even with the Mets. We're not playing blind right now with Murph's swing. It's unbelievable. I think he's been having that kind of swing even way before we played the Mets. As long as he stays where's he's at, I think don't touch Murph, leave him alone. Let Murph be Murph. That's what he does best. It's always fun to watch."

Murphy's splits are good against almost every team, but the splits against the Mets since he left New York are certainly intriguing. In four games at Citi Field this season, Murphy is batting .333 (6-for-18) with a triple, homer and six RBIs. In 2016, a Silver Slugger campaign season, Murphy against the Mets at Citi Field connected at a .359 clip with three doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs. Overall last season versus the Mets, Murphy hit .413 with six doubles, seven homers and 21 RBIs.

Finally, in his career against the Mets, the two-time All-Star Murphy has hit .394 with seven doubles, one triple, eight homers and 28 RBIs in 26 games. Phenomenal numbers.

"I think Daniel's just a great hitter," Harper said. "One of the best in the league at his craft and what he does. He works every day at it. It's a lot of fun to watch. Coming in here and him doing damage all year long. He did a great job for us tonight. Had some great at-bats."

As for Murphy, when asked if there was any extra motivation in beating his former team the Mets and hitting well in New York, he instead spoke about team goals.

"I don't know - division rival," Murphy said. "And, you know, we haven't been playing the most crisp baseball of late. And unfortunately, we just lost two of three to the Braves, another division rival, so you want to come in here and try to get off on the right foot, especially with the Mets playing well too, coming off a really big series win against the Cubs. So it's nice to get off on the right foot. Gio and Bryce going in that direction tonight and hopefully we can come out and win the second game of the series tomorrow."