The St. Lucie Mets nearly erased an eight-run first-inning deficit but fell one run short in a 15-14 loss to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Saturday night at Clover Park.

Fort Myers scored eight runs in the opening inning and survived several St. Lucie rallies to earn its third consecutive victory.

Mets starter Ethan Lanthier was charged with seven runs on five hits and two walks before being removed with two outs in the first inning. Harry Genth delivered a three-run double during the Mussels' early outburst.

Mets Answer With Five-Run First Inning

St. Lucie immediately responded with five runs against Fort Myers starter Matt Barr in the bottom of the first. Antonio Jimenez, Branny De Oleo and Simon Juan each recorded RBI hits to cut the deficit to 8-5.

The Mighty Mussels added three runs against Franyel Diaz in the third inning. Ramiro Dominguez drove in two with a single, and Byron Chourio hit a solo home run to extend the Fort Myers lead to 11-5.

Trey Snyder helped St. Lucie pull closer in the fourth inning with an unconventional trip around the bases. Snyder's ground-ball single was mishandled by shortstop Quetin Young, who then committed a throwing error that allowed Snyder to score and another run to cross the plate.

The play cut the Mussels' lead to 11-7.

Guzman Homers Twice

Randy Guzman hit a two-run homer against Ramiro Villanueva in the fifth inning to bring the Mets within two runs.

Villanueva later hit consecutive batters and was ejected. St. Lucie loaded the bases with one out, but reliever Adam Falinski retired Elian Pena on a popout and Snyder on a groundout to preserve the 11-9 Fort Myers advantage.

Young answered with a three-run home run over the batter's eye in the sixth, pushing the Mussels' lead to 14-9.

Guzman responded again in the bottom half of the inning, launching a three-run homer to make it 14-12.

He finished the game 3-for-4 with two home runs, a single, six RBIs and two runs scored.

Ninth-Inning Rally Falls One Run Short

Ricardo Paez opened the ninth inning with a solo home run that gave Fort Myers a 15-13 lead and provided what proved to be a crucial insurance run.

Francisco Toledo scored on a wild pitch and throwing error with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Marco Vargas then homered to right field with two outs, pulling St. Lucie within one run at 15-14.

Brent Francisco struck out Chase Meggers to end the game and record his third save.

Michael Hilker Jr. earned the win after pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for Fort Myers. Lanthier took the loss.

Jimenez went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored. Vargas, De Oleo and Juan added two hits apiece.

The Mets fell to 10-18 in the second half and 43-51 overall. The Mighty Mussels improved to 14-14 in the second half and 51-42 overall.

The teams will conclude their series Sunday at Clover Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m.