PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Jerald and Lydia Clark Become Adoptive Parents of a Baby Girl

It put everything in perspective in the life of left fielder Jerald Clark. He wasn’t concerned about his batting average, lack of home runs or anything else with baseball.

He became a father.

“I can’t get over it,” Clark said. “I’m a father. I’m a father. Can you believe it? Father’s Day will mean something to me this year.”

Clark and his wife, Lydia, have been trying to have a baby the last few years but have been unsuccessful. Then, about a month ago after the Padres traveled to Montreal for the beginning of a trip, Clark called home and suggested to Lydia that they try adoption.

Lydia called an adoption service, and four days later, they found a young woman who had an unwanted pregnancy.

Jerald and Lydia had several meetings with the woman, and at 9:41 Monday night, they became parents of a baby girl named Gabriella Re’.

“I was so glad I could be there,” Jerald Clark said. “The baby’s coming home (Tuesday night). I couldn’t even get Lydia to leave the hospital, she’s that excited.

“She’s such a beautiful baby. She’s beautiful, just beautiful.

“The only thing that went wrong is that I forgot to buy cigars. I just had too many things on my mind. But they’re coming, they’ll be there.”

Catcher Benito Santiago is the only Padre who is among the leaders in the first round of the All-Star voting.

Santiago, a three-time All-Star, collected 173,871 votes. Gary Carter of the Montreal Expos is the second with 86,497 votes.

Padre first baseman Fred McGriff is second in the voting to Will Clark of the San Francisco Giants; shortstop Tony Fernandez is third behind Ozzie Smith of St. Louis and Barry Larkin of Cincinnati; third baseman Gary Sheffield is fourth; and right fielder Tony Gwynn is fourth.

“I don’t even worry about it,” Gwynn said, “let someone else worry about it.”

Said McGriff: “There have been a lot of years where I should have made it, and didn’t, so I’m not expecting anything. Let’s put it this way, I’ve already made plane reservations to Tampa (Fla.) for the three days.”

Padre reliever Larry Andersen on being activated from the disabled list: “It’s scary how good I feel. I forgot what it felt like.”

Did he pick up any new pitches at Class A High Desert on his rehabiliative assignment?

“I went with the hanging fastball, which I didn’t perfect, but I threw it a lot.”

Since 1987, the Houston Astros have struggled at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. They are 9-37, having been outscored 237-124.

Padre third baseman Gary Sheffield, who has been playing with a swollen index finger on his left hand, underwent X-rays Tuesday that were negative.

“You know me,” Sheffield said, “I’m just going to keep on swinging. I hate walks.”

Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said he will rest Sheffield today to give him two consecutive days off, considering Thursday’s travel day.

The Padres, who are as agggresive at the plate as any team in the National League, have been quite successful jumping on the first pitch. Here are the league’s top five hitters when putting the first pitch in play:

1. Gwynn, Padres: .541

2. Fernandez, Padres: .457

3. Clark, S.F.: .448

4. Santiago, Padres: .424

5. Willie McGee, S.F.: .405

Santiago told Riddoch that the pain in his broken finger still has not subsided.

“It must really hurt if Benny’s complaining about it,” Riddoch said. “The one thing with him is that anytime he tells you it hurts, it’s trouble. He still can’t move it.”

Padre starter Greg Harris, who was scheduled to start Tuesday before being placed on the disabled list with back spasms, threw lightly in the outfield without pain. He’s scheduled to throw off the mound today.

“It would have been interesting to see if I could have pitched (Tuesday),” Harris said, “because I think I’m real close. I feel good. I’m right on schedule.”

The Padres are hoping Harris will be able to pitch June 16 against the Astros in Houston.

Catcher Tom Lampkin, who has become the regular catcher at triple-A Las Vegas with the recent promotion of Dan Walters, is on a tear in the Pacific Coast League.

He has raised his batting average nearly .200 points to a season-high .340.

Outfielder Phil Stephenson continues to lead the team with a .369 batting average, while first baseman Guillermo Velasquez is batting .354 with three homers and 48 RBIs.