DODGERS NOTEBOOK: IT WAS CORK, NOT MOLD, IN GUERRERO'S BROKEN BAT.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer

Wilton Guerrero ran after the head of the bat almost before he ran toward first base.

That was the dead giveaway for home-plate umpire Steve Rippley. That and the cork in the bottom part of the bat that Cardinals catcher Mike Difelice handed him.

Rippley couldn't help but smile as he summoned third-base umpire Bruce Froemming to inspect Guerrero's bat after the Dodgers rookie shattered it grounding out to start Sunday's game. Dodgers third-base coach Mike Scioscia walked with Froemming.

``The cork was right in there. There was no way to hide it,'' Froemming said. ``Scioscia said it might have been mold.''

Manager Bill Russell and catcher Mike Piazza soon gathered around. Everyone tried to stifle laughter.

``It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen,'' Piazza said. ``He's the last guy I thought I'd see use a corked bat. I had to go out there and see it myself.''

Guerrero, a 155-pound leadoff hitter with one home run, was ejected and faces a suspension and possible fine from National League president Leonard Coleman. Dodgers manager Bill Russell called the incident ``very unfortunate'' but had not decided whether he would sanction Guerrero.

Chris Sabo, then with the Cincinnati Reds, was suspended seven games by the league for using a corked bat last season. Albert Belle, then with the Cleveland Indians, was fined $25,000 and suspended 10 days (reduced to six) in 1994.

Guerrero admitted he knew the bat, which he said he'd brought from the Dominican Republic a few months ago, was corked. He said it was the only one he owned.

``It was the first time I've used the bat,'' he said in Spanish as coach Manny Mota translated. ``I apologize . . . It will never happen again.

Always shy but amicable, the 22-year-old Guerrero was clearly embarrassed. But he faced the media immediately after the game with Russell, Mota and hitting coach Reggie Smith at his side.

His thoughts as he watched the broken bat fly across the infield?

``Any time you do something wrong, the good Lord will embarrass you,'' he said.

Finished: Of all the moves Russell made Sunday, and he made many, the keenest might have been having Mark Guthrie pitch the ninth inning.

Guthrie, who walked in the winning run on four pitches in the bottom of the ninth on Friday, allowed one hit in closing out Sunday's game. As nice as it would have been to get Tom Candiotti some work, Russell wanted Guthrie to get back some confidence.

The move was appreciated.

``It was nice to get back out there and get the bad taste out of my mouth,'' Guthrie said.

Also: Karros is the only Dodgers player to start every game. . . . Eddie Williams and Tom Prince were the only position players not to appear in Sunday's game for the Dodgers. Prince has not played in nine games but will likely start in place of Piazza today or Tuesday.

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Photo

Photo: WILTON GUERRERO: Was embarrassed when his bat broke and cork was discovered inside. He claimed it was his only such model.