The midges returned to Cleveland and swarmed Carlos Carrasco

They’re back! Remember the meddlesome midges that tormented Joba Chamberlain during the 2007 ALDS? They returned to Progressive Field on Wednesday night to annoy Indians starter Carlos Carrasco.

Yep, it’s as disgusting as it looks. Not to mention how distracting it must be for a guy trying to pitch his team to a win over the Astros in a pressure-packed pennant race. Shortly after the midge attack, Carrasco served up a two-run homer to Colby Rasmus. Carrasco provided the gory details to MLB.com afterward:

"It got in my left eye when I was throwing. It doesn't feel good. But I just have to come back and make my pitches. I got a ground ball base hit. And the first pitch he homered it was a bit inside."

It’s a nightmare that Chamberlain – who actually pitched for the Indians this season until being released in July – knows all too well. He had to fight them off during Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS while pitching for the Yankees, surrendering the game-tying run in the eighth inning of an eventual extra-inning loss to the Indians.

To his credit, Carrasco was able to pitch through the swarm, earning the win in Cleveland’s 6-5 victory over Houston on Wednesday.