Two men were hospitalized Friday night – one with a stab wound to his torso, one with a bloody face – following a drunken brawl that apparently started in Val Verde Park.

The altercation escalated to the point where 70-year-old Jesus Yoguez allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed a man less than half his age. His victim was identified as fellow Val Verde resident Luis Rodriguez, approximately 30.

Details are sketchy because both men speak only Spanish and weren’t cooperating with deputies, Sheriff’s Lt. Mark Hershey said.

In fact, someone called the Fire Department for help, rather than the sheriff’s office, when things got out of hand.

Hershey said deputies believe the stabbing provoked the victim’s friends to pummel the older man, because Yoguez had numerous facial lacerations when deputies found him walking along Justamere Avenue shortly after they arrived around 9:30 p.m.

Deputies found the stabbing victim in the vicinity of Waterman and San Martinez Road, just outside of the park.

Hershey said it seemed both men were trying to go home after the fight.

They didn’t make it. They were transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

The severity of the stab wound to Rodriguez’s midsection was unknown Friday night.

Hershey said deputies would likely take Yoguez into custody, but they were waiting to learn whether he would be admitted to the hospital.

“It was not gang-related at all,” he added.

A number of deputies were called away from a DUI checkpoint at Valencia Boulevard and Creekside Road to work the incident in Val Verde.