Desmond’s 2 HRs beat sagging Mets

NEW YORK — Ian Desmond’s home runs helped more than the Colorado Rockies. They also benefited a cause that means a lot to him.

Desmond hit a pair of solo homers, including a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning that sent the Rockies over the sagging New York Mets 3-2 Sunday for their season-high fifth straight win.

In 2012 as a member of the Washington Nationals, Desmond met Ethan Brown, who as a 16-year-old was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to develop on nerve tissue.

Since then, the 32-yearold veteran has kept a close relationship with Brown and has been involved in different ways to create awareness of the condition, partnering with the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

“May is Neurofibromatosis Month and it’s something that I care a lot about,” Desmond said. “My family and I have made donations of $1,000 per run and this year we (added) RBI, so today was an expensive day but going to a good cause.”

The Mets finished an 0-6 homestand, getting swept by Atlanta and Colorado, in which they were outscored 34-11 and shut out three times.

It’s the first time New York has lost all six games of a homestand of six or

more contests since dropping all six in September

2012 against Washington and Atlanta.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise, I don’t think I’m concerned, it’s just part of the game,” Mets manager

Mickey Callaway said.

Desmond homered off Noah Syndergaard’s 98 mph fastball in the second.

He hit his sixth homer with two outs in the eighth

off Hansel Robles (2-1). Robles was called up from Triple-A on Saturday when former Mets ace Matt Harvey was designated for assignment.