NEW YORK — Daniel Murphy keeps turning those Citi Field boos into booms.

Murphy homered for the seventh time this season against the team that let him go last winter, leading the Nationals to a 3-2 victory over the Mets on Sunday.

“That guy's the real deal,” winner Gio Gonzalez (5-8) said. “He's definitely a cyborg right now. You don't know what to throw him.”

Murphy tops the majors with a .348 batting average at the All-Star break, boosted by the damage he's done to the Mets. He homered three times and drove in 10 runs as the NL East leaders took three of four in the series, opening a six-game edge over the Mets.

Murphy, as usual, deflected any notion he's the main reason his team is soaring.

“Carry it? No, no, no,” he said. “The list is too many. Just a small piece of it.”

What about his own impressive first half, which includes 46 extra-base hits and 66 RBIs?

“I would say I'm surprised,” Murphy said.

Murphy connected in the first inning for his 17th home run. Overall, he is 22-for-52 (.423) with 21 RBIs against his old club.

“I don't think it's just against us,” losing pitcher Steven Matz said. “He's hitting like .350.”

The Nationals won their 54th, matching the 1994 Expos for the most in franchise history before the break.

“Very pleased with the first half we had,” first-year Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. “We know we can get even better.”

Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances. His 368th career save moved him past Jeff Reardon into ninth place all time.

Jose Reyes hit two solo home runs for the Mets.