No team in the Eastern League’s Western Division enjoyed more success against the Erie SeaWolves this season than Bowie.

How appropriate the Baysox secured a playoff berth against them.

Bowie, which finished 14-7 against Erie, celebrated its first spot in the postseason since 2008 with Thursday’s 8-6 victory at Prince George’s Stadium. The Baysox (75-62) will play the first-place Akron Aeros when the league semifinals begin next week.

The SeaWolves were a league-worst 57-80 after their final road game of 2012. Erie concludes its long season with Friday’s opener of a four-game series against Altoona at Jerry Uht Park.

– Mike Copper

Baltimore Orioles infielder Wilson Betemit, playing for the Baysox on a rehabilitation assignment, rallied them from an early four-run deficit via his fifth-inning grand slam off Erie starter Patrick Cooper (3-10). Betemit’s blast gave Bowie a permanent lead at 7-5.

Niuman Romero highlighted the SeaWolves’ four-run third inning with a two-run home run off Bowie starter Eddie Gamboa (8-4). It was the league-leading 155th hit for the shortstop, who trails Will Rhymes (158 in 2008) and Omar Infante (163 in 2001) on the franchise’s all-time, single-season list.

The SeaWolves lost even though they outhit the Baysox 12-10. Jamie Johnson recorded three of them and also scored twice.

Buck Britton, Jonathan Schoop and Betemit each totaled two hits and a run for Bowie.

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Altoona pitcher Jameson Taillon is scheduled to start against Erie in Friday’s series opener. The Pittsburgh Pirates chose Taillon (2-0, 0.00 earned-run average) with the second overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft.

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The league not only named Reading’s Darin Ruf as its rookie of the year Thursday, but also its most valuable player. The Phillies slugger went into the day as its leader in home runs (37) and RBIs (98), and was second in batting average (.322).