The Phillies desperately wanted to add another left-handed arm to their bullpen at the trade deadline last week. They didn’t get one.

Last night, after a decidedly un-Jamie Moyer-like start in which the guy who had mastered the Marlins in 10 straight games, the Phils rolled out Clay Condrey, someone named Les Walrond, Ryan Madson and finally J.A. Happ.

It didn’t work out too well.

Moyer was uncharacteristically wild early. He walked three but still managed to keep the game close. When he left, the Phils trailed only 2-0.

The game went downhill from there.

Happ made a couple of good starts filling in while Brett Myers was dispatched to the minors to find himself.

It was Happ who looked lost last night in a mop-up relief role.

The loss sliced the Phils’ lead in the National League East over the Marlins to a game and a half. The Mets continue to lurk two back.

Now it appears the Phils are once again shaking the bushes in their search for a left-handed reliever. Word is they may look at Scott Eyre, who was designated for assignment by the Cubs.

The Dog Days are upon us. The Phillies’ bullpen has been one of their strengths this season. Now the team is banking on another team’s castoffs to bolster the pen. Dog Days sounds about right.