Baltimore construction worker claims top prize on Home Run Riches game
A 36-year-old Baltimore city man used lunch change to swing for the fences and win a $50,000 top prize on a Home Run Riches scratch-off. The construction worker told Maryland Lottery officials his chance purchase was due to buying a sandwich at Lexington Market that left him with enough change to get the lucky $5 instant ticket.
The memory of Lexington Market’s delicious chicken cheesesteaks drew him to the historic Baltimore site. After satisfying his hunger, the player bought a Home Run Riches scratch-off from Herling’s Grocery Basket and headed home.
A few days later, he started scratching off the instant ticket while lying in bed. He quickly leapt to his feet after discovering his lucky win. The happy player rushed around the house showing his mother and sister the series of $5,000 prizes that appeared on his scratch-off and totaled $50,000.
He believes there was a family connection to his win. The player told Lottery officials that his father, who loved scratch-offs, had recently passed and said he knew his father would be very happy to see Lottery luck come to his son. Due to this family connection, the happy player said he plans to share the winnings with family members.
His top prize was the fifth one claimed on the Home Run Riches scratch-off since it arrived in stores in February. Two more top prizes remain on the baseball-themed scratch-off along with six $5,000 prizes.
Also happy the player bagged a big win is Herling’s Grocery Basket. For selling a top-prize winning instant ticket, the store located at 400 West Lexington Street earned a $500 bonus from the Lottery.