DODGERS TAT-TWO-ED; TATIS MAKES HISTORY: 1 INNING, 2 GRAND SLAMS : ST. LOUIS 12 DODGERS 5.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

Mark McGwire has been on his soapbox for the better part of the year telling us there's more to the St. Louis Cardinals than just Mark McGwire.

Such as? Try Fernando Tatis.

Tatis upstaged McGwire's quasi-homecoming by doing something even baseball's top slugger hasn't accomplished. He became the first player in major league history to hit two grand slams in the same inning, powering the Cardinals to a 12-5 win against the Dodgers in the first of a three-game series Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Both of the third baseman's home runs came in an 11-run third inning that also saw the ejection of Dodgers manager Davey Johnson before Tatis struck for a second time.

Tatis joins Atlanta's Tony Cloninger as the only National League players to hit two grand slams in one game. He's the 10th player in major league history to do it, and first since Baltimore's Chris Hoiles did it last August.

And both grand slams came off Dodgers right-hander Chan Ho Park, who entered a dubious club. The only other pitcher to give up two grand slams in the same inning is Pittsburgh's Bill Phillips - and he did it last century. He was victimized by the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 16, 1890.

Things could have been worst for Park, who worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the second inning before Tatis tattooed the ball.

The third inning began with Darren Bragg's single. Edgar Renteria was hit with a pitch and McGwire delivered a check-swing base hit through the right side to load the bases with none out.

Tatis, 24, who hadn't hit a grand slam in his 1-1/2-year career with Texas and St. Louis, crushed Park's 2-0 pitch over the Dodgers' bullpen to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead. It was his fifth homer of the season, but the inning continued.

J.D. Drew grounded out before Eli Marrero hit a solo homer. Park then walked Placido Polanco and Joe McEwing and the bases were loaded again when St. Louis pitcher Jose Jimenez's sacrifice bunt was misplayed. Park tried to get the runner at third but the throw was wide and everyone was safe.

That set the stage for Johnson's ejection. Bragg grounded to first, and the Dodgers' Eric Karros threw home for the force out. But umpire Greg Bonin ruled catcher Todd Hundley's foot wasn't on the plate as he stretched for the throw, allowing another run to score.

Johnson immediately left the dugout to argue the call. After an up-front and personal discussion, Bonin threw Johnson out.

Instead of pumping up the Dodgers, it served as a minor deterrent.

Renteria singled to right to put the Cardinals ahead 7-2, which set the stage for McGwire. He popped out to right, but it brought Tatis to the plate.

After looking at a borderline 3-1 pitch called a strike, Tatis hit Park's next pitch over the left-center-field wall as the Cardinals went ahead 11-2.

The homer also sent Dodgers officials scurrying for the record books. In addition to other records, the eight RBI in one inning established a major league record.

The 11 runs the Dodgers allowed represents the most they've given up in an inning since moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. It also tied a Cardinals' record for runs in an inning. The half-inning took 33 minutes and 44 seconds to complete and Park threw 49 pitches.

Park (1-2) allowed all 11 runs - six earned - on 11 hits in 2-2/3 innings. His ERA sailed from an already hearty 5.29 to 7.32.

Park has allowed six homers in four starts this season, including the three grand slams, after not allowing any home runs in spring training. In the first 118 games of his career, including 74 starts, Park allowed 48 homers. In 34 starts last season, Park gave up 16 homers.

SLAMMIN'

Facts about the record-breaking third inning by St. Louis' Fernando Tatis:

Became first major-league player to hit two grand slams in one inning.

Set a major-league record with his eight RBI in one inning. The previous record was six, shared by several.

Became second National Leaguer to hit two grand slams in one game. The other was Atlanta's Tony Cloninger, a pitcher, in 1966.

Became 10th major-leaguer to hit two grand slams in one game. The last was Baltimore's Chris Hoiles in 1998.

Chan Ho Park became second pitcher in major-league history to surrender two grand slams in the same inning. The first was Pittsburgh's Bill Phillips vs. Chicago Cubs in 1890.

Tatis did not have a grand slam in his career before Friday in 226th major-league games.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Color) Fernando Tatis is congratulated by teammate Mark McGwire after the first of Tatis' two grand slams in third inning.

(2) St. Louis' Mark McGwire strikes out in the first inning of the Dodgers' 12-5 loss to St. Louis.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

(3--Color) Fernando Tatis

Box: SLAMMIN' (See text)