You knew starting Dylan Axelrod on three days rest would be a disaster, right?

Dylan Axelrod started in place of Chris Sale as the White Sox coaching staff thought it would be nice to give him today off so he could pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Never mind the fact the Sox are in a division race against two teams where every game is going to count down the stretch. Nope, Axelrod was given the ball this afternoon as the Sox were looking to sweep the Blue Jays and this six game homestand.

You could debate the timing of giving Sale rest. Obviously Sale is going to get some starts off in the second half to keep the arm fresh. Sale is going to blow by his career high for innings pitched and he'll be needed if the Sox expect to win the division. But unfortunately right now the Sox don't have much to make a spot start in the rotation with Danks and Humber on the DL. So today looked to be a bullpen day from the start.

Axelrod gave up four runs in the first inning highlighted by two 2-run home runs by Colby Rasmus and Edwin Encarnacion.

In what would be the theme for the afternoon, the Sox fought back. Alex Rios blasted a three run home run in the bottom of the 1st to quickly get the Sox back in the game.

Unfortunately, Axelrod wanted to make this harder on everyone. He surrendered three more runs in the next two innings to put the Sox in a 7-3 hole after three innings. It became 8-3 after four when Brian Omogrosso entered the game in the 4th inning and promptly game up a solo shot to Jeff Mathis.

You would not be wrong to have left the game at this point of you were in attendance or turn off the TV if you were watching at home. But if you didn't, the Sox gave some thrills for the remainder of the game.

The Sox scored four times in the fifth getting the score to 8-7. Alexei Ramirez continued his hot hitting by knocking in two on a triple with one out. But, Dayan Viciedo and Tyler Flowers weren't able to bring the tying run home as they both struck out ending the threat.

The Blue Jays put another four spot on the board in the sixth. It helped their cause because the Sox came back with solo tally's sixth and seventh to get close but eventually ran out of gas and fell 11-9.

Robin Ventura got thrown out of the game after Hector Santiago looked to throw a first pitch strike in the ninth but was called a ball. Robin yelled from the dugout then ran out to yell at home plate umpire D. J. Reyburn for basically have two strike zones throughout the game. It was as animated as Robin as got all year.

So the Sox end the first half of this 2012 season at 47-38, in first place. Three games in front of the Cleveland Indians (44-41) and 3 1/2 games in front of the Detroit Tigers (44-42).

There really isn't much to complain about. This Sox team has exceeded expectations so far and is playing solid baseball.

In other good news, Jake Peavy was named to the All-Star Team today to replace C.J. Wilson. Peavy will join Konerko, Sale, and Dunn in Kansas City this week.

Those four can stay in K.C. after the game Tuesday as the Sox will kick off the 2nd half on Friday in Kansas City.