Ryan Howard Injured on Season-Ending Out

By - Kris Fletcher

Things may have gone from bad to worse on the final play of the season for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Not only did star first baseman Ryan Howard make the final out in the loss that eliminated the heavily favored Phillies from the postseason last night, but he also may have injured himself badly in the process.

Photo by: Alex Brandon

After grounding to second with two outs in the ninth, Howard fell to the ground as he left the batter's box. He was tended to by trainers while the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated their 1-0 series-clinching victory on the field.

The initial reports are that Howard hurt his left Achilles tendon and will undergo an MRI later today to survey the full extent of the damage. If fully torn, he could possibly miss all of the 2012 season.

"It felt like my bat came around and hit the back of my Achilles," Howard told reporters after the game. "I tried to run and felt a pop and it felt like the whole thing was on fire. I tried to run, but felt like I was literally on a flat tire. I tried to get up, but I couldn't go."

He left Citizens Bank Park on crutches.

Howard started the NLDS with a bang, hitting a big three-run home run in an 11-6 Game 1 win for Philadelphia. However, he went just 1-for-16 over the final four games, including an 0-for-4 performance on Friday night.