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Such is the lot in life of a designated hitter.

While the rest of the lineup gets to return to the field to make plays with the glove if they come up short with the bat, the DH is left back in the dugout, savouring his successes, or, more often than not, stewing over his shortcomings.

For Toronto Blue Jays DH Adam Lind, the shortcomings have been far more apparent this year than last. In 2009 Lind gave what seemed a tantalizing taste of his potential as a major-leaguer, driving in a team-leading 114 runs off the back of 35 home runs and a .305 average.

Nearly 11 months after his breakout season ended the 27-year-old Indiana native has barely gotten out of first gear. While he has the welcome insurance of the six-year, $37.5-million (U.S.) deal he signed on the eve of opening day, little else seems to have gone right since then, with the fifth-year pro batting just .232 with 18 home runs and 57 runs batted in.

“It’s been kind of a rough season for me,” Lind admitted before one of his more satisfying moments of the year, driving a 2-0 pitch over the centre-field wall to put Toronto ahead in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, although Johnny Damon’s ninth-inning RBI single forced the Blue Jays to wait until the 11th inning for a 3-2 victory.

“A lot of things can build up, you just kind of get worn out by the failure,” he had said earlier in the week. “I’m not completely worn out. I’m still working and still trying to get out of this funk.”

The confidence that was so apparent in 2009 has clearly been eroded to a considerable extent this time around, with Lind striking out every 3.8 plate appearances this season, compared to every 5.3 at-bats a year ago. As a result, he also has the unwanted distinction of leading his team with 119 strikeouts heading into Friday’s matchup with the Tigers, tied for 15th in the major leagues.

“It’s great [being the DH] when you’re hitting,” he said before going 1-for-5 in Friday’s win. “But if you’re not there’s nothing else to really focus on.”

Therein lies the trick to being an effective DH in the American League. And it’s also where Lind faces an uphill climb. Unlike many of his confreres at the position – think Jim Thome in Minnesota or David Ortiz in Boston – Lind has youth on his side, and may consequently lack the mental strength that comes from playing the position day in and day out, year after year. Still, after starting 191 games in that spot over the last two seasons, he’s learning.

“I just think it’s keeping your mind occupied, that way you don’t stress on each at-bat,” he said. “You need to get your mind off of it. Talk to the pitchers, talk to the hitting coach, do things to consume your time between at-bats.”

Still, he may not have to do it much longer. Lind’s long-term future may well lie at first base after this season, depending on what the team chooses to do with 33-year-old incumbent Lyle Overbay, an impending free agent.

If Toronto does choose to put its faith in Lind, his fielding skills would likely need some polishing. The last time he played first – earlier this month against Boston – his high toss to David Purcey caused the young reliever to roll his ankle, putting him on the 15-day disabled list.

Outgoing Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston is certainly open to the idea of Lind playing first to spell Overbay for some outings as the season winds down next month. But he refused to be drawn on Lind’s long-term career projection at the position.

“Well, he’s got six weeks of spring training to try it,” said Gaston, who will move upstairs as a special advisor for next season, “but I guess [I can’t say] because you’re talking about something I won’t be a part of.”

With a report from Robert MacLeod.

SCORESHEET

TURNING POINT Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill, who was batting in a season-low eighth spot in the batting order for the third straight night, singled home John McDonald, pinch-running for John Buck, from second in the bottom of the 11th inning for a series-tying 3-2 win.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER One day after swatting career home run No. 100, Jose Bautista wasted little time getting No. 101. The Blue Jays outfielder crushed a 2-0 fastball into the left-field seats in the fourth inning, putting the home side in front with his major-league-leading 42nd home run of the season. He also added a double in the sixth to go 2-for-3 on the day, along with a stolen base following a first-inning walk.

STARTING PITCHERS After a dispiriting 5-0 loss to Boston last time out, Toronto right-hander Shaun Marcum bounced back in solid fashion Friday night, giving up one run off eight hits in six innings of work. Detroit right-hander Justin Verlander was equally impressive, striking out eight in eight innings of work and holding the home side hitless until Bautista’s fourth-inning homer. Toronto reliever Shawn Camp eventually picked up the win, his fourth of the year.

NOTES Detroit right-hander Jeremy Bonderman was originally scheduled to start Saturday’s contest, but was scratched after a throwing session on Friday determined that he was still suffering from a right rib strain picked up in his previous start on Monday. … Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay was removed from the game after the fifth inning as he was feeling under the weather. Fred Lewis replaced him in the lineup. … Toronto prospect Kyle Drabek of the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats was named the Eastern League’s pitcher of the year Friday. … The win improved Toronto’s record to 4-5 in extra-innings games this season.

ON DECK Saturday, Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre, 1:07 p.m. (EDT) PROBABLE PITCHERS Toronto RHP Brandon Morrow (9-6, 4.39 ERA) v. Detroit RHP Alfredo Figaro (0-1, 5.79) TV Rogers Sportsnet.