Cleveland ? The Cleveland Indians locked up their center field position into the next decade, agreeing Wednesday to a $23.45 million, six-year contract with Grady Sizemore.

Sizemore’s deal has the most guaranteed money for a player with less than two years of major-league service, $200,000 more than the Boston Red Sox guaranteed shortstop Nomar Garciaparra in a five-year deal agreed to in March 1998.

“I didn’t expect it to happen this fast,” Sizemore said. “Last year, I was just trying to make the team.”

Chris Carpenter allowed two hits in six innings to outpitch Dontrelle Willis, but the Florida Marlins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-5, Wednesday.

“It’s not my job to beat Dontrelle,” said Carpenter, preparing to pitch at Philadelphia on Monday.

Carpenter, who defeated Willis for the NL Cy Young Award, began spring training with 16 consecutive scoreless innings and compiled an 0.67 earned-run average overall. The only run against him came Wednesday on a double-play ball in the first.

“I got my work in and I’m ready to go,” Carpenter said at Jupiter, Fla. “I kept the ball down.”

Carpenter won 21 games last year, and Willis won 22. Willis gave up three runs and six hits in six innings, his final outing before Monday night’s opener at NL champion Houston .

There were a flurry of roster moves Wednesday, the last day to release players with non-guaranteed contracts on 40-man rosters without having to pay their full salaries. Among those released were pitcher John Wasdin (Texas), pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez (Philadelphia) and outfielder Tike Redman (New York Mets).

Second baseman Jeff Kent and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed Wednesday to an $11.5 million, one-year contract extension through 2007.

Padres 13, Rangers 11

At Surprise, Ariz., Adam Eaton left his final spring training start for the Rangers after 11â3 innings, feeling pain in the same finger that sent him to the disabled list in San Diego last season.

Red Sox 3, Pirates 2

At Fort Myers, Fla., Curt Schilling allowed two runs and six hits in four innings as he prepped for Monday’s opener in Texas. Schilling joined the Red Sox before the 2004 season, but Pedro Martinez pitched that opening day, and David Wells did it last year.

Braves 4, Mets 1

At Kissimmee, Fla., Tim Hudson prepared for his opening-day start by striking out eight in four innings. Hudson allowed one run and two hits, and had a two-run single in the second against former Atlanta star Tom Glavine.

Yankees 4, Tigers 2

At Lakeland, Fla., Kenny Rogers allowed three runs in four innings for Detroit. New York center fielder Johnny Damon, with ice strapped to his left shoulder, said he would be ready for Monday’s opener.

Twins 5, Orioles 4

At Fort Myers, Fla., Jason Kubel had a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly as he tries to make the Twins’ opening-day lineup in place of Michael Cuddyer, who has a strained left oblique muscle.

Blue Jays 6, Phillies 2

At Dunedin, Fla., Roy Halladay, who is to make his fourth straight opening-day start Tuesday, allowed two runs and nine hits in six innings for Toronto. Philadelphia’s Jon Lieber allowed six runs and 10 hits in four innings.

Indians 6, Astros 5

At Winter Haven, Fla., Roy Oswalt was picked as Houston’s opening-day starter, then allowed one run and three hits in four innings. Eduardo Perez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Steve Sparks in the eighth.

Reds 7, Devil Rays 6

At Sarasota, Fla., Aaron Harang gave his first subpar performance of spring training, allowing 10 hits and five runs in five innings. Right-hander Seth McClung gave up seven runs in four innings for Tampa Bay, including Adam Dunn’s fifth homer.

Dodgers 4, Nationals 3, 10 innings

At Vero Beach, Los Angeles closer Eric Gagne pitched on consecutive days for the first time this year, throwing a scoreless eighth.

Giants 12, Athletics 0

At Phoenix, Todd Greene hit a three-run homer, Steve Finley and Mike Matheny each added two-run shots, and Jason Schmidt beat Barry Zito in the final tuneup for both opening-day starters.

Rockies 10, Diamondbacks 6

At Tucson, Ariz., Luis Gonzalez singled, doubled and tripled in the first four innings.

Angels 8, Cubs 4

At Tempe, Ariz., Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano outdueled 2005 AL Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon in a match of opening-day starters.

White Sox 5, Brewers 4, 10 innings

At Tucson, Ariz., Jim Thome had his third multihomer game in four days, connecting twice off Doug Davis.