Colvin continues to produce at first base

DENVER -- Tyler Colvin made his fourth career start at first base Thursday against Oakland. If Colvin can stay hot, the usual outfielder may spend more time at first.

"How the bat comes will go a long way to determine that," said manager Jim Tracy. "This is a premium offensive spot that requires a run-producer, a guy who can hit the ball over the fence. Can he do all that on a regular basis to qualify?"

Colvin is hitting .467 (7-for-15) the last five games, with four home runs and six RBIs, despite going 0-for-5 with a strikeout in Wednesday night's 10-8 loss to the A's. He's slugging .564 this season, which would rank second in the National League among first basemen, were Colvin to qualify as a first baseman and have the requisite number of plate appearances.

Todd Helton had a scheduled day off, opening up a spot for Colvin, who started Wednesday in left field in place of Carlos Gonzalez (rest). The previous two games, Colvin's starts came at the expense of center fielder Dexter Fowler.