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GREENSBORO -- It rained dogs and more dogs as the Grasshoppers opened a six-game homestand against Hickory on Tuesday night at First Horizon Park. After a 90-minute delay on the summer's second Bark in the Park Night, the Hoppers and Crawdads finally took the field with a postseason berth on the line and the smell of 154 wet dogs in the air.

Trailing the first place Crawdads by 6½ games in the South Atlantic League Northern Division, the Hoppers were looking to claw their way back into playoff contention in the first match up of a three-game set. Another strong outing from starter Kyle Winters and two timely home runs helped Greensboro cut into Hickory's lead with a 6-2 victory.

With the score tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth, catcher Chris Hatcher belted a two-run home run just inside the right-field foul pole to give the Hoppers a 3-1 lead. Two batters later, center fielder Greg Burns blasted a moon shot onto Eugene Street to secure the victory.

For the second straight start, Winters (7-3) surrendered just one earned run. He pitched four innings of no-hit ball before giving up back-to-back doubles in the fifth. Winters lasted six innings, giving up two hits and one walk and striking out six.

"He's done a good job being consistent, staying aggressive," pitching coach John Duffy said. "His hand speed on his pitches has gotten better and that's why his stuff has gotten a little bit better."

Despite the win, the Hoppers sustained two injuries to key players. In the bottom of the first, left fielder John Raynor dislocated his right ring finger sliding back to the bag at first. He left the game and was replaced by Adam Howard. Raynor, the SAL's stolen-base leader with 54 on the season, returned to the dugout later in the game.

"Best-case scenario he might miss two or three days," manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "It could be worse, he could be done for the season."

Raynor was more optimistic.

"We're going to take some X-rays to make sure the ligament isn't torn," he said. "If not, as soon as I get grip strength in it I'll be ready to go."

Then, in the bottom of the sixth, shortstop Guillermo Martinez fouled a pitch off his ankle and immediately fell to the ground. Martinez left the game and was replaced by Justin Webb.

"First they were getting tired and now they're getting hurt," Rodriguez said. "It's late in the season so let's just see if we can get somebody out there tomorrow."

Greensboro, which entered the game with a 4-7 record against the Crawdads, will look to make up more ground Wednesday night. The Hoppers will send Tom Cowley (4-5) to the mound to face right-hander Matt McSwain.

Contact Matt Brooks at 373-7047 or mbrooks@news-record.com