A 24-year-old Manchester man who allegedly beat his pregnant girlfriend into unconsciousness was held yesterday in lieu of $2,500 bond on a battery charge.

Robert E. Reed of the 3200 block of Maple Ave. was arrested at his home after a friend of the victim called the Manchester police about 1:30 p.m. and reported an assault in progress.

When police arrived at the house, the friend, Sherry L. Pyles, answered the door and, officers say, told them, "He beat her up." Simultaneously, police heard Mr. Reed shout from the background, "I didn't do anything," they reported.

When the officers went into the kitchen, they found Regina Marie Jordon, 37, unconscious on the floor and summoned the medic units from Manchester and Hampstead. The woman was taken to Carroll County Hospital for evaluation, a spokeswoman there said.

Mr. Reed was held at the Carroll County Detention Center.