While Craig Counsell was answering a question about Pete Crow-Armstrong after the Cubs’ 6-2 win over the Cardinals, he had to stop himself.

Counsell hadn’t been asked about his shortstop, Dansby Swanson, but Swanson’s play in the 2nd inning on Sunday was so remarkable to the Cubs’ manager, that he had to mention how impressed he was with it.

“The other thing I just want to quickly mention is Dansby’s defense, again, like the play he made to get the guy out at third base was — excellent play,” Counsell said. “He kind of makes it look easy and he makes it almost look routine. That was a very difficult play.”

With 1 out in a scoreless game, Alec Burleson hit a tough grounder off Justin Steele to Swanson’s right. He shifted over, fielded the ball and then rifled a strike to Isaac Paredes at third, who tagged Nolan Arenado on the head for a fielder’s choice and kept a runner from scoring position.

“As soon as that ball was hit, in the back of my head, I was like, that’s gonna be a tough play at first base,” Steele said. “And then I turn around and I kind of see the play developing behind me and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s gonna try and get him at third here.’ And I was kind of making my way over there to somewhat back up if it wasn’t a good throw or something, but he made the play.”

It’s a crucial play from one of the game’s premier defenders.

That allowed Steele to attack Brendan Donovan a bit more aggressively and pick up the final out of the inning.

“And, I mean, those are the kind of plays that keep a pitcher in a ball game,” Steele said. “Getting the out instead of there being a runner on third, like it just goes such a long way as far as, my pitch count, getting me deeper into the ball game, not letting the run score, just all kinds of things.

“So, I mean, it’s awesome having him back there.”

After a slow start and an injury forced him to miss some time, Swanson has been as solid as ever defensively. He ranks 7th among all defenders in Outs Above Average (12) and is tops among NL shortstops.

“His defense, man, his defense has been so, so good,” Counsell said. “And the ball’s hit to him, he’s converting it into an out.”