Personal Finance

2 Grand Slams By Orioles Win Harford Co. Woman $10K

A Harford Co. woman won $10,500 when she played the Home Run Riches Contestant of the Game second-chance promotion.

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A daytime doubleheader at Camden Yards ended up winning a Harford County woman $10,500.

When the Orioles hit two grand slams against the Houston Astros, Michele Crisco also won thanks to the Home Run Riches game.

The 63-year-old said that once she had been selected in the Maryland Lottery’s 2026 Contestant of the Game second-chance promotion, she knew she had to be there at the ballpark, so she bought tickets and hoped to enjoy a great game. She had no idea just how great of a game it would end up being.

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The Orioles were leading 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning when they loaded the bases and catcher Adley Rutschman hit a fly ball to deep center field. Astros’ outfielder Brice Matthews nearly made a miraculous catch, as he had the ball in his glove when he collided with the outfield wall. But the impact jarred the ball loose and Matthews dropped it over the fence, giving Rutschman a grand slam, giving the O’s a commanding 5-0 lead — and giving Crisco $5,000.

Two innings later, Crisco’s total winnings increased by another $5,000 when second baseman Jeremiah Jackson stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and hit another grand slam.

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“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Crisco, reflecting on her big day at the ballpark.

This long-time Baltimore fan said her great uncle was a ticket-taker at the ballpark and then became part of the security team when the Orioles played at Memorial Stadium.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am. People always ask me, ‘Do you think people really win it’ and now I can say they really do,” Crisco said.

Each Contestant of the Game wins $500 for being selected and is assigned to a game. The contestant then wins $500 for each Orioles’ home run and $5,000 for each Orioles’ grand slam during their designated game.

Home Run Riches Walk-Off Winnings Fast Play tickets are $5 and are available at all Maryland Lottery retailers, from clerk-operated terminals and self-service vending machines. The game features a progressive jackpot that starts at $40,000 and grows with each ticket sold until a jackpot-winning ticket is purchased. There are also thousands of additional instant-win prizes ranging from $5 to $5,000.

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