Mike Bordick admitted that it was a long, tough grind.

However, Bordick, the starting shortstop for the Oakland A’s and the American League’s 10th-leading hitter a year ago (.300), has battled his way through an early-season slump to raise his average to a respectable .256 entering a Tuesday night game at Seattle.

The former University of Maine star struggled early in the season, hitting just .236 in April. But, since May 1, he has hit .263 to raise his average 20 points.

“It was tough,” said Bordick from his Seattle hotel room. “I tried to figure out what was going on. I watched a lot of videotapes.

“I just kept trying to fight my way through it. I kept pushing and pushing and tried not to get too discouraged. I didn’t do too much different. I tried to be more selective. But I remained aggressive,” added Bordick.

Bordick was getting pitched inside consistently and he said it altered his thinking.

“Because I was getting pitched inside, I was thinking about pulling the ball too much. That took me off my game plan,” said Bordick. “I have to hit the ball up the middle and to the right side. When I’m at my best, that’s what I do.”

Bordick has 54 hits in 211 at-bats and has 10 doubles, a triple, two homers and 19 runs batted in. He has scored 27 runs and has struck out only 20 times.

“I’ve been putting the ball in play,” said Bordick. “If I can do that, it gives me a better chance to get on base. I’ve been trying to work the count (to my favor) and hit the ball hard on the ground somewhere.”

In addition, he has drawn 25 walks and has stolen four bases in eight attempts. His on-base percentage is .346 and his slugging percentage is .341.

He is second on the team in games played with 64, one behind Ruben Sierra.

Bordick used to be pinch-hit for in late innings but those days appear to be over.

“That has given me a good feeling, knowing that Tony (Oakland Manager Tony LaRussa) has enough confidence in me to put a good at-bat on in a clutch situation,” said Bordick.

Defensively, he has made eight errors in 64 games and has made several dazzling plays that have been featured on ESPN’s and CNN’s Plays of the Week.

“I’m just trying to be as consistent as possible,” said Bordick.

The Athletics began Tuesday’s play in last place in the American League West but they were just seven games out of first place. The Athletics have been without slugger Mark McGwire since late May due to his bruised heel. Center fielder Dave Henderson and valuable jack-of-all-trades Jerry Browne are also on the disabled list.

But Bordick feels the A’s can definitely climb back into the race.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys and they’ve come up and done a great job,” said Bordick. “Our pitchers have started to bear down and give us good performances and the Eck (ace reliever Dennis Eckersley) is back in form.

“Nobody has taken charge of our division so as soon as we get things going, we’re going to get right back into the hunt,” predicted Bordick, who has been “pretty happy” with his season so far.

He said being one of the veterans in the infield with youngsters like second baseman Brent Gates and third baseman Craig Paquette has given him a “good feeling.”

“The young guys think of me as a veteran and I’ve tried to help them out as much as possible,” said the 27-year-old Bordick. “That keeps me on my toes.”