Tough Tues-Day at the Office: Nashville's Pro Teams Stutter and Stumble

Sounds Stymied by Gwinnett, Fall 4-1

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Nashville Sounds dropped the series opener to the Gwinnett Stripers, 4–1, Tuesday night at Gwinnett Field. Milwaukee’s No. 3 prospect Jett Williams provided Nashville’s lone offense, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the sixth inning.

Gwinnett struck early, plating two in the second after Carlos Rodriguez allowed back-to-back singles and then a walk set up a double-steal. Rodriguez worked 3.1 innings, surrendering four runs on five hits and four walks while fanning a season-high six. The Stripers added a run in the fourth; an inherited runner also scored against reliever Peter Strzelecki, stretching the lead to 4–0.

Nashville’s only run came in the sixth when Greg Jones was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Williams’ single up the middle. Drew Rom steadied the staff with six straight retired across the sixth and seventh, recording five consecutive strikeouts; Jacob Waguespack tossed a scoreless eighth. The Sounds threatened in the ninth but left a runner at first. Nashville pitchers combined for a season-high 14 strikeouts, while the offense was limited to only two hits — their fewest this year.

Notable: Gwinnett swiped a franchise-record 10 bases in the game, a rare Triple-A total and a season-high allowed by Nashville. The Sounds continue the series Wednesday with a 5:35 p.m. CT first pitch.

Nashville SC Held Scoreless by Club América in CONCACAF - First Leg

NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC and Club América played to a cautious 0–0 draw at Geodis Park in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal. The match featured few clear-cut chances; Nashville controlled 56% possession and outshot América, 13–8, but failed to convert — América finished with four shots on goal to Nashville’s three.

The second leg is set for April 14 at Estadio Azteca, where Nashville will advance on a win or a 1–1 (or higher) draw thanks to the away-goals tiebreaker. Nashville reached this stage after knocking out Inter Miami on away goals in the round of 16; América advanced past Olimpia and then Philadelphia Union.

Kings Edge Predators in Shootout - Forsberg the Difference

LOS ANGELES, CA - Anton Forsberg stopped all three attempts he faced in the shootout and made 29 saves overall as the Los Angeles Kings beat the Nashville Predators 3–2. The Kings reclaimed the second Western Conference wild-card spot with the win. Joel Armia and Scott Laughton scored in regulation for Los Angeles; Steven Stamkos and Roman Josi scored for Nashville, and Juuse Saros made 26 saves.

Kings interim coach D.J. Smith praised Forsberg’s performance, while Predators coach Andrew Brunette called the game “playoff hockey” — tight, physical and decided by small margins. Nashville sits one point behind Los Angeles in the wild-card chase; if tied, Nashville would hold the tiebreaker.

Injury note: Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained in Saturday’s 6–3 win at San Jose.

What’s next

Sounds vs. Gwinnett: Game 2, Wednesday, 5:35 p.m. CT

Nashville SC: Second leg at Club América, Estadio Azteca, April 14.

Predators: at Utah Mammoth, April 9, 8:00 p.m. CT