Nashville Sounds’ Season Turns as They’re Eliminated From First-Half Playoff Spot

MEMPHIS, TN — The Nashville Sounds’ hopes of finishing in the first-half playoff picture were dashed Friday night, June 19, as they were eliminated from contention after a 4-1 loss to the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. Entering the matchup at 42-31, Nashville fell short in the tightest margin of the standings race, unable to turn early missed chances into a comeback despite a late push that nearly changed the outcome.

Memphis struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The Redbirds strung together three straight singles off starting pitcher Garrett Stallings, then weathered the early momentum swing to limit Nashville to just one run.

The Sounds struggled to gain traction through the middle innings. Nashville was blanked for the first four innings, collecting only a single hit while repeatedly coming up empty with runners in scoring position. The breakthrough finally arrived in the top of the fifth, when Eddys Leonard drew a leadoff walk and Ethan Murray followed with a hit to left to put the potential tying run into scoring position.

After a forceout trimmed the momentum, the inning reloaded. Greg Jones walked to load the bases, and Luis Lara delivered an RBI single into left field, scoring Murray to tie the game 1-1—the kind of swing that kept Nashville within reach.

But Memphis responded in the bottom of the sixth. Stallings ran into trouble, issuing a hit-by-pitch, followed by a single and a walk to load the bases. Bligh Madris then drove in a run with an RBI single, giving Memphis a 2-1 lead. A double play helped briefly stabilize the inning, and Nashville managed to prevent further damage—until the Redbirds added to their advantage later.

In the bottom of the eighth, Memphis stretched the score when Jake Woodford surrendered a two-run homer, making it 4-1. That cushion proved critical.

Nashville threatened again in the top of the ninth. Matos delivered a one-out double and Leonard drew a walk, putting two runners on base after a wild pitch advanced Matos to third. Murray, the tying run at the plate, grounded into a double play, sealing a 4-1 Memphis win.

The Sounds and Redbirds continued the series today. As of the publishing of this story the Sounds were up 7-3 in the top of the 8th.