Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz got out of a runners-at-the-corners, one-out jam after a leadoff double, a deep fly ball from Carlos Pena caught in front of the right-field fence, a walk and pinch hitter Jeff Baker grounding into the double play.
"Fortunately I got the ball in on Pena just enough," Putz said.
A visit at the mound with catcher Miguel Montero produced an agreed-upon first-pitch slider, and the plan worked.
Manager Kirk Gibson's game plan also included being aggressive on the basepaths. Montero going from first to third on a single and Ryan Roberts breaking for home and scoring on a safety squeeze bunt in the Diamondbacks' three-run fourth inning were keys to the win.
"Our plan is to be aggressive when we can," Gibson said. "When things aren't working the conventional way you try and push the issue sometimes, and it worked."
Daniel Hudson (2-4) pitched seven solid innings won his second straight start after allowing three runs against Philadelphia April 26. He gave up three runs and eight hits.
Alfonso Soriano led off the second inning with a double, then eventually scored on a groundout by Pena. The Diamondbacks tied it at 1 with Roberts' sixth home run of the season in the bottom of the second.
David Hernandez and Putz each threw a scoreless inning for Arizona, Putz earning his sixth save.
Notes: Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said RHP Aaron Heilman's simulated game Sunday was "free and easy." Heilman, on the disabled list with right shoulder soreness since April 14, might pitch another, or an extended spring training game before he's ready to return. ... Asked about the Diamondbacks' play over the first month of the season, Gibson said he didn't like the team's record (11-15 in April) but "I think we've played the game and kind of adapted to the situation in the game. We've come from behind, we've tied games up ... our demeanor and our preparation has remained solid." ... Soriano hit a home run Saturday night at Chase Field that was estimated to have traveled 461 feet. It hit the facade of the scoreboard/video board in straightaway center field.
The Diamondbacks scored three runs in the fourth inning on a balk, sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Cubs starter Casey Coleman balked home the first run with Montero on third. Then, with runners at first and third and one out, Hudson laid down a bunt and Roberts beat the throw home.
"If you research that play around the game, you'll find a lot of times that that play, it forces other mistakes," Gibson said.
The third run scored when the bases were loaded and Coleman (1-2) uncorked a wild pitch allowing Gerardo Parra to score. He had been intentionally walked.
Coleman (1-2) allowed four runs and four hits in five innings.
Trailing 4-1, the Cubs rallied in the seventh as Geovany Soto had a two-run double after Marlon Byrd singled and Pena walked.
Soto was left stranded at third, as Hudson retired pinch-hitter Tyler Colvin on a comebacker to the mound.
"The little things along the way when you are in a 4-3 contest, they add up," Cubs manager Mike Quade said.
