Mets rip 3 HRs in 5 pitches

NEW YORK – As the clock ticked past 11 p.m. and “Moondance” by Van Morrison practically wafted through the ballpark, young children ran around the bases as part of a family-friendly promotion normally reserved for Sunday afternoons.

For the first time in years, the New York Mets are a late show worth watching.

Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy and streaking Lucas Duda homered in a span of five pitches, a sudden power strike that charged up Citi Field and sent the Mets past the Washington Nationals, 5-2, Sunday night for a three-game sweep.

“I’ve never been in a playoff atmosphere, but tonight sure felt like one,” Duda said.

Noah Syndergaard (6-5) struck out nine over eight innings, and New York pulled within percentage points of the first-place Nationals in the NL East. Boosted by a trio of lively crowds, the Mets completed their first three-game sweep of Washington since May 2009 and boldly pronounced themselves legitimate contenders.

“It’s so much fun to be a Met right now,” Syndergaard said. “Just an unbelievable night, and I’m looking forward to the days to come.”

It was indeed a serious statement from the rising Mets, now 7-6 against the Nationals this season after going 4-15 last year. New York finished a wildly eventful 6-4 homestand that featured one undone trade, four new additions (including slugger Yoenis Cespedes) and a 162-game drug suspension for reliever Jenrry Mejia.