Murphy helps Nats top his former team

NEW YORK — Dave Martinez picked the right moment for Daniel Murphy.

The first-year manager is hoping for more big plays for Washington in the final part of the season.

Murphy drove in two runs against his former team with a pinch-hit single in Washington’s five-run seventh inning, helping the Nationals beat the New York Mets 6-1 on Sunday.

Trea Turner also had a two-run single as Washington salvaged a split of its four-game set against New York. A preseason favorite to win the NL East and contend for a World Series championship, the Nationals hit the All-Star break with a 48-48 record, good for third in the division.

“For me it’s not disappointing. People can say, yeah look at our record, ‘The Nationals should be this, that,’ but I’m proud of the boys in this team,” Martinez said. “Like I said, we went through some adversity and we utilized 40something guys for a few months. To get (that) many guys in and out and trying to focus just on playing every day, it’s tough.”

Jeremy Hellickson (4-1) pitched six crisp innings in his second straight win. The veteran right-hander allowed one run and two hits, struck out six and walked two.

“We need all the wins we can get right now,” Hellickson said.

Jose Reyes drove in Michael Conforto with a fielder’s choice in the second, tying it at 1, but Washington grabbed control in the seventh. Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon opened the inning with walks against Anthony Swarzak (0-2). Tim Peterson then came in and surrendered singles to Adams and Murphy, who came off the bench to hit for Michael A. Taylor.

Murphy and All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper were held out of the starting lineup for rest. Murphy missed the first two months of the season while recovering from knee surgery.