MANCHESTER - Two men suffered minor injuries in separate muggings early Friday morning in the city.

Police learned of the first assault about 4:45 a.m. when they were called to the emergency room at Catholic Medical Center for a reported stabbing. A 19-year-old man was cut on the arm in an attempted robbery and needed several stitches to close the wound.

He told investigators he was walking near Walgreens at 227 S. Main St. on the city's West Side when two men jumped him from behind. He fended off the men who tried to steal his wallet and prevented the theft but not before being cut.

The men are described as between 20 and 25 years old. One wore a grey hooded sweatshirt and black shorts, while the second man wore blue jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt. One of them was armed with "some sort of edged weapon," according to a police press release of the incident.

While officers were at CMC, a second 19-year-old man arrived about 5 a.m. seeking treatment for injuries he sustained when beaten by a bat-wielding robber who stole his wallet and cell phone.

The man, who was bruised and had some swelling, told police he was walking in an alley near Walnut and Bridge streets when the man attacked him.

His assailant is described as being between 20 to 25 years old, wearing blue jeans and a black sweatshirt with "Ecko Limited" written on the front.

Anyone with information about the assaults is asked to call police at 668-8711. Anonymous tips for cash rewards may be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org .