NEW YORK -- It took only one pitch for the Subway Series to really heat up Saturday.

	Mets manager Bobby Valentine argues an interference call in the first inning during Saturday's game.

By then, there had already been a rare obstruction call, an argument, an ejection of Bobby Valentine and an announcement that the New York Mets were playing their game against the Yankees under protest.

Quite an opening to the opener of a day-night, two-ballpark doubleheader, the first in the majors since 1903.

Chuck Knoblauch lined Bobby Jones' first pitch at Shea Stadium into center field for a hit and apparently was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. But first base umpire Robb Cook ruled that first baseman Todd Zeile stood in Knoblauch's way, and awarded the leadoff man second base.

Valentine sprung from the dugout and engaged all four umpires in his argument. He even traced Knoblauch's steps in the freshly raked dirt, trying to show that there had been no interference.

Replays indicated otherwise, showing that although there was no contact, Knoblauch had to swing wide around Zeile to avoid bumping into him.

Eventually, crew chief Dana DeMuth ejected Valentine. At that point, Valentine said he was playing the game under protest.

It was the second time this season Valentine put a game under protest. He did it in the opener against the Cubs at Tokyo, trying to sort out a lineup discrepancy, and dropped it immediately after the final out.

Knoblauch's play was scored as a single and an error on Zeile. The Yankees, helped by a throwing error by second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, went on to take a 2-0 lead in the first.