Cardinals place five on NL All-Star squad

Cards land five on NL All-Star team

St. Louis Cardinals leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter has parlayed his breakout season into an All-Star Game invitation.

The Cardinals second baseman was one of five Cards to be named to the National League team on Saturday.

He joins outfielder Carlos Beltran, catcher Yadier Molina, first baseman Allen Craig and starting pitcher Adam Wainwright. Beltran and Molina were named starters after winning the fan vote at each position.

Molina led all National League players with more than 6.8 million votes received.

Carpenter leads the National League with 34 multi-hit games and ranks second among all NL second basemen with 25 doubles and 65 runs scored.

Beltran was selected for his eighth All-Star appearance. Molina will be playing in his fifth mid-summer classic. Wainwright in an All-Star for the second time. Carpenter and Craig are both first-time All-Stars.