utes if the transportation system if appropriate," Masuzoe told a

CHICAGO -- Despite struggling on the mound most of the game, Ian Kennedy executed his pitches when he needed it the most. Tommy Medica hit a go-ahead RBI double in the fifth, the same inning Kennedy pitched out of a bases loaded jam, and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 8-3 on Wednesday night. On a cool, unseasonably summer night in Chicago, Kennedy (8-9) won his third straight decision. He allowed three runs and three hits, while striking out six and pitching around a season-high five walks in six innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the fifth, Kennedy struck out Anthony Rizzo and got Starlin Castro to ground out to end the inning. Rizzo, currently one of the hottest hitters in baseball was coming off a two-homer game against the Padres on Tuesday. "Hes been swinging the bat very good, all season he has. If you make a mistake to him it will cost you quite a bit. I knew I had to execute and bear down in that situation. It was a big at-bat in the whole game and it kind of stopped their momentum," Kennedy said. Medica finished with three hits and drove in two runs for the Padres, who came into the game with baseballs worst batting average at .215. Luis Valbuena hit a three-run homer for the Cubs, who have lost 12 of 15. Cubs starter Tsuyoshi Wada (0-1) allowed five runs, five hits and four walks in four-plus innings. It was his second career start after receiving a no-decision against the Reds on July 8. "On the hill he looks as composed as anybody, but he didnt find his rhythm and command today as he had in his last outing against Cincinnati, but he kept grinding. He did try to get through it," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. After a leadoff walk in the first inning, Yangervis Solarte hit an RBI triple to right. Solarte scored on Carlos Quentins sacrifice fly to give the Padres a 2-0 lead. Solarte was acquired on Tuesday from Yankees, centring around a trade that sent Chase Headley to New York. "Right off the bat that was great to see. It brought us some energy," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He looked good, everything as advertised. It was good to get him acclimated." Jeff Francoeur, who had his contract purchased by the Padres from Triple-A El Paso before the game, singled in his major league season debut, then scored from first on Chris Nelsons double. He finished the game 1 for 3 with a walk a sacrifice fly. Kennedy was unable to hold the 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. He allowed two walks, then with two outs, Valbuena drove Kennedys 0-1 pitch into the bleachers in right field to tie the game. It was Valbuenas sixth homer of the season. "It was just a bad curveball I threw to Valbuena. That was frustrating because I thought my curveball was pretty good all night," Kennedy said. "That was by far the worst one I threw all night." Wada, who struggled with his control the entire game, walked the first two batters in the fifth. His night ended when Medica hit an RBI ground-rule double in the ivy in left. Reliever Brian Schlitter continued with the control problems for the Cubs. He walked Rene Rivera with the bases loaded to give the Padres a 5-3 lead. Pinch-hitter Seth Smith and Medica had RBI singles in the eighth for the Padres and Francoeur added a sacrifice fly. NOTES: The Cubs promoted OF prospect Jorge Soler to Triple-A Iowa where he will join infielders Kris Bryant and Javier Baez. "Our last big call was around the All-Star break. With Soler, we talked about the fact that he really looked like he was on a mission. He came off the DL (hamstring injury) without missing a beat. It was remarkable for him not to show any signs of rust, in fact the opposite. And he said, now is my time," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. ... Francoeur took OF Cameron Maybins spot on the roster. Maybin was suspended 25 games Wednesday for testing positive for amphetamines. 01:11ET 24-07-14 Wes Martin Womens Jersey .Y. - Joe Johnson hit six 3-pointers in his 27 points, Mason Plumlee added 18 points, and the Brooklyn Nets won their 11th straight at home, beating the Boston Celtics 114-98 Friday night. Bryce Love Youth Jersey .com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers made it official Tuesday and signed pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract. http://www.redskinsrookiestore.com/Redskins-Montez-Sweat-Jersey/ . - After three days of light, make that very light, workouts, Team Irvin and Team Carter are ready for tonights Pro Bowl. Charles Mann Jersey .com) - Joique Bells touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Detroit Lions a 20-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. DaRon Payne Youth Jersey . -- Byron Scott is taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with the vocal support of his fellow Showtime greats.TOKYO -- Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe on Wednesday defended his call to cut costs by relocating some venues for the 2020 Olympics, even if it threatens plans for having almost all the facilities close to the athletes village. Tokyo won the right to host the 2020 Olympics last year with a promise to deliver a compact games, with 28 of the proposed 33 competition venues within five miles (8 kilometres) of the village. But Japanese Olympic organizers said they are reviewing their venue plans because of concerns over rising costs. Japan has already informed the International Olympic Committee about its intention to review and revise its plans. According to reports in the Japanese media, organizers are considering moving some venues to locations as far away as Saitama, which is part of the Greater Tokyo Area but an hour away from central Tokyo. "Even if a venue is 100 kilometres (60 miles) away you can still achieve a maximum travel time of 30 minutes if the transportation system if appropriate," Masuzoe told a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan. Masuzoe said the relocation of some venues outsidde that radius will not increase travel times between the facilities if good transportation systems are in place.dddddddddddd Insisting that he also has a responsibility to Tokyo taxpayers, Masuzoe said the games need to be compact in terms of cost and not just geography -- a principle the IOC agrees with. "Expenses can be 30, 40, 50 times more than the original plan," Masuzoe said. "How can I persuade the taxpayers to pay this kind of money? We are working with the IOC and the various sports federations to make the games sustainable. Legacy is very important. If you abolish everything after the games who can accept that?" The IOC, under new President Thomas Bach, is currently looking at ways of reducing the costs of hosting future Olympics. Several cities declined to bid or have dropped out of the race for the 2022 Winter Games because of financial concerns. Masuzoe did not refer specifically to plans to replace Tokyos National Stadium with a colossal, 80,000-seat facility, the centerpiece of the citys Olympic bid. The proposed new stadium has caused protests over its size, cost and design. ' ' '