Craig Counsell initially thought the towering drive off Pete Crow-Armstrong’s bat was surely fair. Then the Cubs manager got nervous as it kept curving left.

Counsell, like everyone else invested in Cubs baseball, held his breath. The ball eventually hit the foul pole and Counsell celebrated like he rarely does.

The Cubs were down four runs entering the seventh inning of Friday’s game against Cincinnati. Crow-Armstrong’s grand slam put them ahead by two.

The center fielder’s second home run of the night was his best considering its context, but he put together an excellent outing overall..

He was 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI in a 13-6 comeback victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park. While so many contributed to a game seemingly lost and eventually won, it was a moment for many to stand and applaud the Cubs young breakout star.

Count Counsell among them.

“He does some things that other guys can’t do,” Counsell told reporters who were there on-site. “That’s so much fun to watch. That’s why you’re hearing people chant his name all the time. …We’re lucky to be able to watch something like this. …We’re (seeing) him take his game to another level at 23 years old. That’s so fun to watch.”

It’s such a radical transformation from his first season as full-time starter, as we’re seeing a player start to maximize his elite physical talent. It’s clear he’s having a blast doing it. Add it to another reason why he has lifted his team and excited a massive fan base that loves watching him play.

“People see a lot of Pete and what he does on the field, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes,” second baseman Nico Hoerner told reporters. “He has put a lot of time and effort, and that doesn’t always guarantee results, but, from his offseason work and the way he takes care of his body and the work he has done with (Cubs assistant hitting coach) John Mallee behind the scenes has put him in a place to let all the ability play. It has been incredible to watch.”

Crow-Armstrong was quick to share in Friday’s revelry with his teammates, giving them credit for contributions essential to this victory.  He considered it his favorite of the year, with the dramatic comeback in which so many played a part.

Crow-Armstrong was set up to be the star and capitalized on the opportunities presented. He’s going really good right now, delivering time and again. This is the second time he has had six RBI in a week. He has more home runs than anyone since April 13. His first was remarkable, with our Lance Brozdowski pointing out it’s uniqueness here.

“Pete does something every day that’s really impressive,” Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd said told reporters. “It’s something to see what he does and how he’s continuing to come into his own out there. It’s fun to have a first-row seat to watch that.”

There’s plenty of season left, and there’s no telling what the future holds. Crow-Armstrong won’t always be going this well. There’s no doubting his talent which can produce special moments at any time.

“People love to compare and do ceilings and ‘what could it be,’ but there’s no point in doing it because there is none,” Hoerner said. “Just keep going and having good days. He has done an incredible job of that.”