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TEX@CWS: Sale picks up his 10th win of the season

On Sunday, White Sox left-hander Chris Sale toes the rubber in Kansas City for the second time in five days. His first appearance on the Kauffman Stadium mound this week -- as a member of the American League All Star team -- was certainly deserved.

The 23-year-old southpaw, who has quickly developed into an ace, had as good of a first half as any pitcher in baseball.

Still, Sale (10-2, 2.19 ERA) and the first-place White Sox know they are just halfway to the finish line. He looks to bring his All-Star caliber stuff into the season's second half, when the White Sox face the Royals in the series rubber match.

In Sale's first career appearance in the Midsummer Classic, he threw just 13 pitches in tossing a scoreless inning, though the AL already trailed by eight runs when he entered.

"Being a part of it, was really special," Sale said. "One-run ballgame, tie ballgame, blowout, you still want to go out and do your best."

The White Sox currently sit three games ahead of Cleveland and are 3 1/2 up on Detroit in the AL Central. The Royals are in fourth at 9 1/2 games back.

Kansas City will send righty Luis Mendoza to the hill. Mendoza has been solid since rejoining the rotation on June 12. In that span, he has posted a 3.26 ERA in five starts.

Mendoza (3-5, 4.50 ERA) allowed just four runs in 14 innings over his last two starts, striking out a batter per inning during that time. He sees the White Sox as a solid test.

"They're having a great year so far," Mendoza said. "They're in first place in the division. For me, it's a good challenge because I want to do good and pitch good against them."

On May 13, in a 9-1 Kansas City victory, Mendoza allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings against the White Sox. He's hoping for similar results on Sunday and throughout the entire second half.

"First of all, just be healthy," Mendoza said of his goals for the season's second stanza. "Try to be healthy, and keep improving my numbers and improving this confidence. Finish a good year."

White Sox: Youk set for Fenway return
• Following Sunday's series finale in Kansas City, the White Sox will make the trek to Boston for the first time since acquiring Kevin Youkilis from the Red Sox.

"Youk" was a beloved member of two World Series winning teams, but he was traded to Chicago on June 24 for Brent Lillibridge and Zach Stewart.

"When Boston comes, it comes," Youkilis said, dodging the subject on Saturday. "We'll probably talk about it all four days we're there."

• Dylan Axelrod remains slated to start Tuesday's game in Boston, despite pitching two innings in Friday night's 14-inning thriller. White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he isn't planning on flipping Axelrod and Phil Humber, who will start on Wednesday.

Royals: Maier clears waivers
• Royals outfielder Mitch Maier was designated for assignment on July 4, but he will remain with the organization after it was announced on Saturday that he cleared waivers.

Maier was sent to Triple-A Omaha, after only getting 64 at-bats during the season's first three months with Kansas City. He was hitting .172 with a pair of homers.

"He gets to go play and get sharp again," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He's a viable guy, but he just needs to play. He sat here for two years, and he just needs to go back out and play. He'll go down there and do well. We'll see him again."

Worth noting
• Kansas City's Alex Gordon and Billy Butler have combined to hit .375 with a homer and a .500 on-base percentage against Sale.

• Seven of the last 14 games between the two clubs at Kauffman Stadium have gone to extra innings, with the Royals holding a 4-3 edge.

• The White Sox have won eight of their last 10 games against AL Central rivals. During that span they have outscored opponents, 80-49.

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