masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgA season that exceeded many writers’ and experts’ expectations came to a screeching halt Friday with the Orioles’ 3-1 loss to the Yankees. With the Birds’ year at its end, here’s what media outlets are saying about Game 5 and the season in its entirety:

* Kevin Kudak of Yahoo! Sports said that the umpires made the right decision in not overturning the call that labeled Nate McLouth’s long foul ball a home run.

* Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com stated that the Yankees didn’t beat…A season that exceeded many writers’ and experts’ expectations came to a screeching halt Friday with the Orioles’ 3-1 loss to the Yankees. With the Birds’ year at its end, here’s what media outlets are saying about Game 5 and the season in its entirety:

* Kevin Kudak of Yahoo! Sports said that the umpires made the right decision in not overturning the call that labeled Nate McLouth’s long foul ball a home run.

* Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com stated that the Yankees didn’t beat the Orioles, but that they managed to simply “survive them.”

* According to CBSSports.com’s Matt Snyder, the Orioles couldn’t be counted out of the game until the last out was recorded, but that Buck Showalter’s decision to not hold Mark Teixeira at first in the fifth inning was a turning point.

* In his special for USA Today Sports, John Perrotto said that while the highest-paid player in the majors, Alex Rodriguez, did not have a chance to prove himself in Game 5, CC Sabathia proved that he was worth his $23-million contract.

* Baltimore Sun TV critic David Zurawik said that he really began to admire Cal Ripken Jr. after the Iron Man’s week in the TBS broadcast booth.

* After the Orioles turned their season around from the last year, it is Baltimore’s duty to root for the team in orange and black, according to Dan Rodricks of The Baltimore Sun.

* David Brown of Yahoo! Sports said that Dan Duquette was nearly flawless this season, making the Orioles one of the best stories in the majors.

* Despite the Orioles’ shortcomings, Bill Pennington of the New York Times said that no team started with less and finished with more than Baltimore.

* As the Yankees move forward, the New York Post’s Mike Vaccaro says that the Orioles were worthy opponents because they made New York play at its best.