| Friday, January 11 |
| Future Pirate Warren Morris is born in Alexandria, LA. |
| Sunday, January 20 |
| Former Pirate Homer Hillebrand dies in Elsinore, CA at the age of 95. |
| Thursday, February 7 |
| Future Pirate Adrian Brown is born in McComb, MS. |
| Monday, February 11 |
| Future Pirate Trey Beamon is born in Dallas, TX. |
| Saturday, February 16 |
| Future Pirate Luis Figueroa is born in Bayamon, P.R. |
| Tuesday, February 19 |
| Former Pirate Frank Miller dies in Allegan, MI at the age of 88. |
| Friday, March 22 |
| Future Pirate Jason Phillips is born in LaMesa, CA. |
| Thursday, April 4 |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Sundberg (Rangers) |
| Friday, April 5 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (1-0), 6-5 | Busch Stadium II (0-1) | 0-1 | |
| » W: Al Hrabosky (1-0) L: Dave Giusti (0-1) | Third | 1 out |
| Saturday, April 6 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (2-0), 8-0 | Busch Stadium II (0-2) | 0-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Sonny Siebert (1-0) L: Bob Moose (0-1) | Fifth | 2 out |
| Wednesday, April 10 |
| » Lost to Expos (1-0), 12-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-1) | 0-3 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Chuck Taylor (1-0) L: Ramon Hernandez (0-1) | Fifth | 2½ out |
| Thursday, April 11 |
| » Lost to Expos (2-0), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-2) | 0-4 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Steve Rogers (1-0) L: Dock Ellis (0-1) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Friday, April 12 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (5-1), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-3) | 0-5 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Mike Garman (2-0) L: Bruce Kison (0-1) S: Rich Folkers (1) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Saturday, April 13 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (6-1), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-4) | 0-6 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Lynn McGlothen (1-0) L: Jim Rooker (0-1) S: Pete Richert (1) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, April 14 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (6-2), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-4) | 1-6 | |
| » W: Bob Moose (1-1) L: Mike Thompson (0-1) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (7-2), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-5) | 1-7 | |
| » W: Jack Curtis (1-1) L: Ken Brett (0-1) S: Rich Folkers (2) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Tuesday, April 16 |
| » Defeated Cubs (3-3), 8-5 | Wrigley Field (1-0) | 2-7 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (1-1) L: Mike Paul (0-1) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, April 17 |
| » Lost to Cubs (4-3), 18-9 | Wrigley Field (1-1) | 2-8 | |
| » W: Burt Hooton (1-0) L: Jerry Reuss (0-1) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Thursday, April 18 |
| » Lost to Cubs (5-3), 1-0 | Wrigley Field (1-2) | 2-9 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ken Frailing (2-0) L: Jim Rooker (0-2) S: Ray Burris (1) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Saturday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Mets (3-8), 5-2 | Shea Stadium (0-1) | 2-10 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (2-0) L: Bob Moose (1-2) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Former Pirate Elmer Ponder dies in Albuquerque, NM at the age of 81. |
| Sunday, April 21 |
| » Defeated Mets (3-9), 7-0 | Shea Stadium (1-1) | 3-10 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (1-1) L: Tom Seaver (0-2) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Monday, April 22 |
| Former Pirate Steve Swetonic dies in Canonsburg, PA at the age of 71. |
| Wednesday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Braves (8-10), 5-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-0) | 4-10 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dock Ellis (1-1) L: Phil Niekro (3-2) S: Dave Giusti (1) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Thursday, April 25 |
| » Lost to Braves (9-10), 3-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-1) | 4-11 | |
| » W: Ron Reed (4-1) L: Jerry Reuss (0-2) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Friday, April 26 |
| » Defeated Astros (11-9), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-5) | 5-11 | |
| » W: Dave Giusti (1-1) L: Fred Scherman (0-1) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mario Mendoza (Pirates) |
| Saturday, April 27 |
| » Lost to Astros (12-9), 10-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-6) | 5-12 | |
| » W: Tom Griffin (3-1) L: Bob Moose (1-3) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Sadowski (Pirates) |
| Sunday, April 28 |
| » Defeated Astros (12-10), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-6) | 6-12 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (2-1) L: Claude Osteen (3-2) S: Dave Giusti (2) | Sixth | 4½ out |
| Monday, April 29 |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Todd (Cubs) |
| Wednesday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Reds (11-9), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-7) | 6-13 | |
| » W: Clay Carroll (2-0) L: John Morlan (0-1) S: Pedro Borbon (4) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Friday, May 3 |
| » Defeated Braves (12-13), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-7) | 7-13 | |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (1-2) L: Roric Harrison (2-4) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Saturday, May 4 |
| » Defeated Braves (12-14), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-7) | 8-13 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (1-2) L: Phil Niekro (3-3) | Sixth | 3½ out |
| Sunday, May 5 |
| » Lost to Braves (13-14), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-8) | 8-14 | |
| » W: Ron Reed (5-2) L: Ken Brett (2-2) S: Tom House (1) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Tuesday, May 7 |
| » Lost to Astros (18-11), 2-1 | Astrodome (0-1) | 8-15 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tom Griffin (4-1) L: Dock Ellis (1-2) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Wednesday, May 8 |
| » Lost to Astros (19-11), 8-6 | Astrodome (0-2) | 8-16 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mike Nagy (1-0) L: Jim Sadowski (0-1) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Thursday, May 9 |
| » Defeated Astros (19-12), 4-1 | Astrodome (1-2) | 9-16 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (2-2) L: Dave Roberts (5-3) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Friday, May 10 |
| » Lost to Phillies (15-14), 3-2 | Veteran's Stadium (0-1) | 9-17 | |
| » W: Dick Ruthven (2-1) L: Ken Brett (2-3) S: Mac Scarce (2) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Saturday, May 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (16-14), 3-1 | Veteran's Stadium (0-2) | 9-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (3-3) L: Bob Moose (1-4) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, May 12 |
| » Lost to Phillies (17-14), 8-7 | Veteran's Stadium (0-3) | 9-19 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ed Farmer (1-0) L: Dock Ellis (1-3) S: Eddie Watt (4) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, May 14 |
| » Lost to Cubs (13-15), 7-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-9) | 9-20 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Rick Reuschel (3-1) L: Jerry Reuss (1-3) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Cubs (13-16), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-9) | 10-20 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (2-1) L: Bill Bonham (2-6) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Thursday, May 16 |
| » Defeated Cubs (13-17), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-9) | 11-20 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ken Brett (3-3) L: Ken Frailing (2-3) S: Bruce Kison (1) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Saturday, May 18 |
| » Lost to Phillies (19-16), 9-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-10) | 11-21 | |
| » W: Ron Schueler (2-3) L: Bob Moose (1-5) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Sunday, May 19 |
| » Lost to Phillies (20-16), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-11) | 11-22 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jim Lonborg (4-3) L: Dock Ellis (1-4) S: Eddie Watt (5) | Sixth | 7 out |
| » Defeated Phillies (20-17), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-11) | 12-22 | |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (2-3) L: Dick Ruthven (2-2) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Monday, May 20 |
| » Lost to Expos (17-14), 4-2 | Parc Jarry (0-1) | 12-23 | |
| » W: Mike Torrez (4-3) L: Jim Rooker (2-3) S: Chuck Taylor (4) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Kent Tekulve (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, May 21 |
| » Defeated Expos (17-15), 8-4 | Parc Jarry (1-1) | 13-23 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (4-3) L: Balor Moore (0-2) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Thursday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Expos (18-15), 5-4 | Parc Jarry (1-2) | 13-24 | |
| » W: Steve Rogers (7-2) L: Bruce Kison (2-2) S: Chuck Taylor (5) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Friday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Mets (18-24), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-11) | 14-24 | |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (3-3) L: Jon Matlack (5-2) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Mets (19-24), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-12) | 14-25 | |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (5-2) L: Dock Ellis (1-5) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Sunday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Mets (20-24), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-13) | 14-26 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ray Sadecki (2-1) L: Dave Giusti (1-2) S: Harry Parker (2) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Monday, May 27 |
| » Defeated Padres (18-33), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-13) | 15-26 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (5-3) L: Randy Jones (3-8) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| » Defeated Padres (18-34), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-13) | 16-26 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (1-0) L: Jim McAndrew (1-4) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, May 29 |
| » Defeated Padres (18-35), 13-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-13) | 17-26 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (4-3) L: Larry Hardy (3-2) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Friday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Reds (27-19), 7-5 | Riverfront Stadium (0-1) | 17-27 | |
| » W: Pedro Borbon (3-2) L: Jim Rooker (2-4) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Saturday, June 1 |
| » Defeated Reds (27-20), 14-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-1) | 18-27 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (6-3) L: Roger Nelson (3-4) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Sunday, June 2 |
| » Lost to Reds (28-20), 5-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-2) | 18-28 | |
| » W: Fred Norman (5-5) L: Bruce Kison (2-3) | Sixth | 7 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Larry Demery (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (38-15), 5-0 | Dodger Stadium (0-1) | 18-29 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tommy John (9-1) L: Jerry Reuss (4-4) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, June 5 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (39-15), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (0-2) | 18-30 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mike Marshall (3-3) L: Jim Rooker (2-5) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Thursday, June 6 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (40-15), 6-0 | Dodger Stadium (0-3) | 18-31 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Andy Messersmith (6-1) L: Ken Brett (6-4) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Friday, June 7 |
| » Lost to Giants (30-28), 6-2 | Candlestick Park (0-1) | 18-32 | Lost 5 |
| » W: John D'Acquisto (4-5) L: Larry Demery (0-1) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Saturday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Giants (30-29), 5-2 | Candlestick Park (1-1) | 19-32 | |
| » W: Dock Ellis (2-5) L: Tom Bradley (6-5) S: Bruce Kison (2) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Sunday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Giants (30-30), 14-1 | Candlestick Park (2-1) | 20-32 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (5-4) L: Ron Bryant (2-6) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Monday, June 10 |
| » Lost to Padres (24-39), 9-8 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-1) | 20-33 | |
| » W: Vicente Romo (3-2) L: Kent Tekulve (1-1) | Sixth | 9 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Ed Ott (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, June 11 |
| » Defeated Padres (24-40), 5-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-1) | 21-33 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (7-4) L: Randy Jones (3-11) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, June 12 |
| » Lost to Padres (25-40), 5-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-2) | 21-34 | |
| » W: Dave Freisleben (5-2) L: Larry Demery (0-2) S: Dave Tomlin (1) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Friday, June 14 |
| » Defeated Giants (31-33), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-13) | 22-34 | |
| » W: Dock Ellis (3-5) L: Ron Bryant (2-7) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Saturday, June 15 |
| » Defeated Giants (31-34), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-13) | 23-34 | Won 2 |
| » W: Daryl Patterson (1-0) L: Elias Sosa (5-2) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Sunday, June 16 |
| » Defeated Giants (31-35), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-13) | 24-34 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (3-5) L: Tom Bradley (6-7) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Monday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (44-21), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-13) | 25-34 | Won 4 |
| » W: Ken Brett (8-4) L: Don Sutton (6-6) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, June 18 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (44-22), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-13) | 26-34 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dave Giusti (2-2) L: Tommy John (10-2) S: Daryl Patterson (1) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, June 19 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (44-23), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-13) | 27-34 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (6-4) L: Doug Rau (5-3) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Thursday, June 20 |
| » Lost to Cubs (26-35), 3-0 | Wrigley Field (1-3) | 27-35 | |
| » W: Rick Reuschel (6-4) L: Dock Ellis (3-6) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Friday, June 21 |
| » Lost to Cubs (27-35), 3-2 | Wrigley Field (1-4) | 27-36 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Stone (2-1) L: Jim Rooker (3-6) S: Oscar Zamora (1) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Saturday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Cubs (27-36), 6-0 | Wrigley Field (2-4) | 28-36 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (9-4) L: Ken Frailing (5-6) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Former Pirate Homer Blankenship dies in Longview, TX at the age of 72. |
| Sunday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Cubs (28-36), 7-3 | Wrigley Field (2-5) | 28-37 | |
| » W: Bill Bonham (5-10) L: Dave Giusti (2-3) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Monday, June 24 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (35-32), 3-1 | Busch Stadium II (0-3) | 28-38 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Alan Foster (3-5) L: Jerry Reuss (6-5) S: Mike Garman (2) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (36-32), 4-0 | Busch Stadium II (0-4) | 28-39 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bob Gibson (4-8) L: Larry Demery (0-3) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, June 25 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (37-32), 8-7 | Busch Stadium II (0-5) | 28-40 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Al Hrabosky (2-1) L: Daryl Patterson (1-1) S: Jack Curtis (1) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (37-33), 7-2 | Busch Stadium II (1-5) | 29-40 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (4-6) L: Sonny Siebert (7-5) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Future Pirate Jason Kendall is born in San Diego, CA. |
| Saturday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Phillies (38-35), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-13) | 30-40 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (7-5) L: Jim Lonborg (10-6) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Sunday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Phillies (38-36), 11-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-13) | 31-40 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ken Brett (10-4) L: Steve Carlton (9-7) | Fourth | 7 out |
| » Defeated Phillies (38-37), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (21-13) | 32-40 | Won 4 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (3-3) L: Ron Schueler (4-9) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Former Pirate Mule Haas dies in New Orleans, LA at the age of 71. |
| Tuesday, July 2 |
| » Defeated Expos (36-35), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-13) | 33-40 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (5-6) L: John Montague (1-1) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Expos (36-36), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-13) | 34-40 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (8-5) L: John Montague (1-2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Thursday, July 4 |
| » Lost to Expos (37-36), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-14) | 34-41 | |
| » W: Steve Rogers (10-8) L: Ken Brett (10-5) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| » Defeated Expos (37-37), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-14) | 35-41 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (4-3) L: Dennis Blair (2-2) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Friday, July 5 |
| » Lost to Astros (42-40), 7-1 | Astrodome (1-3) | 35-42 | |
| » W: Larry Dierker (6-4) L: Dock Ellis (3-7) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, July 6 |
| » Lost to Astros (43-40), 1-0 | Astrodome (1-4) | 35-43 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Don Wilson (5-6) L: Bruce Kison (4-4) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, July 7 |
| » Defeated Astros (43-41), 6-4 | Astrodome (2-4) | 36-43 | |
| » W: Dave Giusti (3-3) L: Fred Scherman (1-5) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Monday, July 8 |
| » Lost to Braves (45-41), 5-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-15) | 36-44 | |
| » W: Max Leon (1-2) L: Jerry Reuss (8-6) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Tuesday, July 9 |
| » Defeated Braves (45-42), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-15) | 37-44 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (11-5) L: Phil Niekro (8-8) S: Dave Giusti (3) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Wednesday, July 10 |
| » Lost to Braves (46-42), 10-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-16) | 37-45 | |
| » W: Carl Morton (11-7) L: Dock Ellis (3-8) | Fourth | 5 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Art Howe (Pirates) |
| Friday, July 12 |
| » Lost to Reds (50-37), 7-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-17) | 37-46 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Don Gullett (10-6) L: Jim Rooker (5-7) | Third | 6 out |
| » Lost to Reds (51-37), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-18) | 37-47 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Tom Carroll (2-0) L: Larry Demery (0-4) S: Clay Carroll (3) | Third | 6 out |
| Saturday, July 13 |
| » Lost to Reds (52-37), 9-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-19) | 37-48 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Tom Hall (1-1) L: Jerry Reuss (8-7) S: Pedro Borbon (11) | Third | 6 out |
| Sunday, July 14 |
| » Lost to Reds (53-37), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-20) | 37-49 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Fred Norman (9-8) L: Ken Brett (11-6) S: Clay Carroll (4) | Fourth | 7 out |
| » Defeated Reds (53-38), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-20) | 38-49 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (5-4) L: Jack Billingham (9-7) S: Dave Giusti (4) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Monday, July 15 |
| » Defeated Astros (49-42), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-20) | 39-49 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dock Ellis (4-8) L: Dave Roberts (6-8) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Astros (49-43), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-20) | 40-49 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (6-7) L: Larry Dierker (6-5) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Astros (49-44), 11-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-20) | 41-49 | Won 4 |
| » W: Larry Demery (1-4) L: Don Wilson (6-7) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Thursday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Braves (50-46), 4-0 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-1) | 42-49 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (9-7) L: Ron Reed (6-5) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Braves (50-47), 2-0 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (3-1) | 43-49 | Won 6 |
| » W: Ken Brett (12-6) L: Phil Niekro (9-9) S: Dave Giusti (5) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Saturday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Braves (50-48), 7-6 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (4-1) | 44-49 | Won 7 |
| » W: Dave Giusti (4-3) L: Danny Frisella (3-3) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Sunday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Braves (50-49), 6-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (5-1) | 45-49 | Won 8 |
| » W: Dock Ellis (5-8) L: Buzz Capra (10-5) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Thursday, July 25 |
| » Lost to Expos (46-48), 10-5 | Parc Jarry (1-3) | 45-50 | |
| » W: Steve Renko (7-10) L: Jim Rooker (6-8) | Fourth | 4 out |
| » Defeated Expos (46-49), 3-2 | Parc Jarry (2-3) | 46-50 | |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (10-7) L: Steve Rogers (10-12) S: Dave Giusti (6) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Friday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Expos (46-50), 3-0 | Parc Jarry (3-3) | 47-50 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dock Ellis (6-8) L: Dennis Blair (5-3) S: Ramon Hernandez (1) | Third | 3 out |
| Saturday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Phillies (51-47), 6-5 | Veteran's Stadium (0-4) | 47-51 | |
| » W: Pete Richert (1-0) L: Ken Brett (12-7) | Third | 5 out |
| » Lost to Phillies (52-47), 7-4 | Veteran's Stadium (0-5) | 47-52 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Wayne Twitchell (5-3) L: Bruce Kison (5-5) S: Eddie Watt (6) | Third | 5 out |
| Sunday, July 28 |
| » Defeated Phillies (52-48), 4-3 | Veteran's Stadium (1-5) | 48-52 | |
| » W: Dave Giusti (5-3) L: Mac Scarce (3-5) | Third | 4 out |
| Monday, July 29 |
| » Lost to Phillies (53-48), 13-1 | Veteran's Stadium (1-6) | 48-53 | |
| » W: Steve Carlton (13-7) L: Jerry Reuss (10-8) | Third | 5 out |
| Tuesday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Mets (44-55), 6-0 | Shea Stadium (2-1) | 49-53 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (7-8) L: Jon Matlack (9-8) | Third | 4½ out |
| » Lost to Mets (45-55), 4-3 | Shea Stadium (2-2) | 49-54 | |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (11-7) L: Bruce Kison (5-6) | Third | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, July 31 |
| » Defeated Mets (45-56), 8-3 | Shea Stadium (3-2) | 50-54 | |
| » W: Dock Ellis (7-8) L: Tom Seaver (7-7) | Second | 3½ out |
| Thursday, August 1 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (54-50), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-21) | 50-55 | |
| » W: Rich Folkers (4-1) L: Dave Giusti (5-4) | Third | 4½ out |
| Friday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (54-51), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-21) | 51-55 | |
| » W: Ramon Hernandez (1-1) L: Orlando Pena (5-2) | Third | 3½ out |
| Saturday, August 3 |
| » Lost to Cubs (45-59), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-22) | 51-56 | |
| » W: Rick Reuschel (11-8) L: Jerry Reuss (10-9) S: Dave LaRoche (2) | Third | 4½ out |
| Sunday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Cubs (46-59), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-23) | 51-57 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bill Bonham (10-13) L: Jim Rooker (7-9) | Third | 4½ out |
| » Defeated Cubs (46-60), 7-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (31-23) | 52-57 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (6-6) L: Herb Hutson (0-2) | Third | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, August 6 |
| » Defeated Mets (47-59), 9-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-23) | 53-57 | Won 2 |
| » W: Daryl Patterson (2-1) L: Tug McGraw (2-6) | Third | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, August 7 |
| » Defeated Mets (47-60), 10-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-23) | 54-57 | Won 3 |
| » W: Larry Demery (2-4) L: Harry Parker (3-10) | Third | 4½ out |
| Thursday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Mets (47-61), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-23) | 55-57 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (11-9) L: Jon Matlack (10-9) | Third | 3½ out |
| Former Pirate Howie Pollet dies in Houston, TX at the age of 54. |
| Friday, August 9 |
| » Defeated Padres (45-69), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-23) | 56-57 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (8-9) L: Randy Jones (7-16) | Third | 3½ out |
| Saturday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Padres (46-69), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-24) | 56-58 | |
| » W: Dave Freisleben (8-6) L: John Morlan (0-2) | Third | 3½ out |
| Sunday, August 11 |
| » Defeated Padres (46-70), 8-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-24) | 57-58 | |
| » W: Dock Ellis (8-8) L: Dan Spillner (5-8) | Third | 2½ out |
| Monday, August 12 |
| » Defeated Reds (70-47), 7-4 | Riverfront Stadium (2-2) | 58-58 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (12-9) L: Clay Kirby (7-7) S: Dave Giusti (7) | Third | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Reds (70-48), 14-3 | Riverfront Stadium (3-2) | 59-58 | Won 3 |
| » W: Larry Demery (3-4) L: Jack Billingham (14-8) | Third | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Reds (71-48), 3-2 | Riverfront Stadium (3-3) | 59-59 | |
| » W: Clay Carroll (8-3) L: Bruce Kison (6-7) | Third | 2½ out |
| Thursday, August 15 |
| Future Pirate Ramon Morel is born in Villa Gonzalez, D.R. |
| Friday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (75-44), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-24) | 60-59 | |
| » W: Dock Ellis (9-8) L: Don Sutton (10-9) | Third | 2½ out |
| Saturday, August 17 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (75-45), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-24) | 61-59 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (13-9) L: Andy Messersmith (13-5) S: Dave Giusti (8) | Second | 2½ out |
| Former Pirate Johnny Barrett dies in Seabrook Beach, NH at the age of 59. |
| Sunday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (75-46), 10-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-24) | 62-59 | Won 3 |
| » W: Larry Demery (4-4) L: Geoff Zahn (2-3) | Second | 2½ out |
| Monday, August 19 |
| » Lost to Giants (55-68), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-25) | 62-60 | |
| » W: Ron Bryant (3-12) L: Jim Rooker (8-10) S: Elias Sosa (5) | Second | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, August 20 |
| » Lost to Giants (56-68), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-26) | 62-61 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Caldwell (12-3) L: John Morlan (0-3) | Second | 2½ out |
| Wednesday, August 21 |
| » Defeated Giants (56-69), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (40-26) | 63-61 | |
| » W: Dock Ellis (10-8) L: Ed Halicki (1-7) | Second | 1½ out |
| Friday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Padres (49-77), 6-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (2-2) | 64-61 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (14-9) L: Bill Greif (6-15) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, August 24 |
| Former Pirate Jake Miller dies in Towson, MD at the age of 79. |
| Sunday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Padres (49-78), 4-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (3-2) | 65-61 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (9-10) L: Lowell Palmer (2-5) | First | -- |
| » Defeated Padres (49-79), 10-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (4-2) | 66-61 | Won 4 |
| » W: Larry Demery (5-4) L: Dave Freisleben (9-8) | First | -- |
| Future Pirate Gary Matthews, Jr. is born in San Francisco, CA. |
| Tuesday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Giants (57-72), 13-2 | Candlestick Park (3-1) | 67-61 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dock Ellis (11-8) L: John D'Acquisto (9-12) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, August 28 |
| » Defeated Giants (57-73), 3-1 | Candlestick Park (4-1) | 68-61 | Won 6 |
| » W: Dave Giusti (6-4) L: Jim Barr (10-8) | First | -- |
| Thursday, August 29 |
| » Lost to Giants (58-73), 3-2 | Candlestick Park (4-2) | 68-62 | |
| » W: Randy Moffitt (5-6) L: Dave Giusti (6-5) | First | -- |
| Friday, August 30 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (83-48), 4-3 | Dodger Stadium (1-3) | 69-62 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (10-10) L: Mike Marshall (13-10) S: Dave Giusti (9) | First | -- |
| Saturday, August 31 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (83-49), 4-3 | Dodger Stadium (2-3) | 70-62 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry Demery (6-4) L: Geoff Zahn (2-4) S: Dave Giusti (10) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 1 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (84-49), 6-2 | Dodger Stadium (2-4) | 70-63 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (13-9) L: Dock Ellis (11-9) | First | -- |
| Monday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Phillies (66-68), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (41-26) | 71-63 | |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (15-9) L: Steve Carlton (14-10) | First | -- |
| » Defeated Phillies (66-69), 11-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (42-26) | 72-63 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (7-7) L: Ron Schueler (8-14) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Miguel Dilone (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Phillies (66-70), 8-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (43-26) | 73-63 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (11-10) L: Wayne Twitchell (6-8) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, September 4 |
| » Major-league debuts: Larry Herndon (Cardinals) |
| Thursday, September 5 |
| Future Pirate Andy Barkett is born in Miami, FL. |
| Friday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Expos (61-74), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (44-26) | 74-63 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dock Ellis (12-9) L: Steve Renko (9-14) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Warren Cromartie and Larry Parrish (Expos) |
| Saturday, September 7 |
| » Defeated Expos (61-75), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (45-26) | 75-63 | Won 5 |
| » W: Ramon Hernandez (2-1) L: Dale Murray (0-1) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 8 |
| » Defeated Expos (61-76), 8-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (46-26) | 76-63 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (12-10) L: Steve Rogers (12-20) | First | -- |
| Monday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Cubs (57-81), 9-4 | Wrigley Field (2-6) | 76-64 | |
| » W: Steve Stone (7-5) L: Larry Demery (6-5) S: Dave LaRoche (3) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, September 10 |
| » Defeated Cubs (57-82), 12-4 | Wrigley Field (3-6) | 77-64 | |
| » W: Ken Brett (13-7) L: Rick Reuschel (13-11) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (72-71), 8-5 | Veteran's Stadium (1-7) | 77-65 | |
| » W: Ron Schueler (10-14) L: Ramon Hernandez (2-2) | First | -- |
| Thursday, September 12 |
| » Lost to Phillies (73-71), 6-4 | Veteran's Stadium (1-8) | 77-66 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Gene Garber (4-2) L: Bruce Kison (7-8) | First | -- |
| Friday, September 13 |
| » Lost to Expos (66-77), 3-2 | Parc Jarry (3-4) | 77-67 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Steve Rogers (13-20) L: Jim Rooker (12-11) | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 14 |
| » Lost to Expos (67-77), 17-2 | Parc Jarry (3-5) | 77-68 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dennis Blair (9-7) L: Larry Demery (6-6) | Second | ½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Ken Macha (Pirates) |
| Sunday, September 15 |
| » Lost to Expos (68-77), 5-4 | Parc Jarry (3-6) | 77-69 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Steve Renko (11-14) L: Ken Brett (13-8) S: Dale Murray (4) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, September 17 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (80-68), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (46-27) | 77-70 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Al Hrabosky (7-1) L: Jerry Reuss (15-10) | Second | 2½ out |
| Wednesday, September 18 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (80-69), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (47-27) | 78-70 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (13-11) L: Lynn McGlothen (16-10) | Second | 1½ out |
| Thursday, September 19 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (80-70), 8-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (48-27) | 79-70 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ramon Hernandez (3-2) L: Rich Folkers (6-2) S: Dave Giusti (11) | Second | ½ out |
| Friday, September 20 |
| » Defeated Mets (67-83), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (49-27) | 80-70 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ramon Hernandez (4-2) L: Tug McGraw (6-10) | Second | ½ out |
| Saturday, September 21 |
| » Lost to Mets (68-83), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (49-28) | 80-71 | |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (14-10) L: Juan Pizarro (0-1) | Second | ½ out |
| Sunday, September 22 |
| » Lost to Mets (69-83), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (49-29) | 80-72 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jon Matlack (13-13) L: Jerry Reuss (15-11) | Second | 1½ out |
| Monday, September 23 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (82-72), 1-0 | Busch Stadium II (2-5) | 81-72 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (14-11) L: Lynn McGlothen (16-11) S: Dave Giusti (12) | Second | ½ out |
| Tuesday, September 24 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (82-73), 7-3 | Busch Stadium II (3-5) | 82-72 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (8-8) L: Jack Curtis (9-14) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, September 25 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (83-73), 13-12 | Busch Stadium II (3-6) | 82-73 | |
| » W: Mike Garman (7-2) L: Jim Minshall (0-1) | Second | ½ out |
| Thursday, September 26 |
| » Defeated Mets (69-87), 11-5 | Shea Stadium (4-2) | 83-73 | |
| » W: Juan Pizarro (1-1) L: Jerry Koosman (14-11) | First | -- |
| Friday, September 27 |
| » Defeated Mets (69-88), 2-1 | Shea Stadium (5-2) | 84-73 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (16-11) L: Jon Matlack (13-14) | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 28 |
| » Defeated Mets (69-89), 7-3 | Shea Stadium (6-2) | 85-73 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (15-11) L: Tug McGraw (6-11) S: Ramon Hernandez (2) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 29 |
| » Lost to Mets (70-89), 7-2 | Shea Stadium (6-3) | 85-74 | |
| » W: Bob Apodaca (6-6) L: Ken Brett (13-9) | First | -- |
| Monday, September 30 |
| » Defeated Cubs (66-94), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (50-29) | 86-74 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (9-8) L: Bill Bonham (11-22) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, October 1 |
| » Defeated Cubs (66-95), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (51-29) | 87-74 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Giusti (7-5) L: Dave LaRoche (5-6) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, October 2 |
| » Defeated Cubs (66-96), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (52-29) | 88-74 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ramon Hernandez (5-2) L: Ken Frailing (6-9) | First | -- |
| Thursday, October 3 |
| Future Pirate Alex Ramirez is born in Caracas, Venezuela. |
| Tuesday, October 15 |
| Future Pirate Mendy Lopez is born in Santo Domingo, D.R. |
| Friday, November 1 |
| Former Pirate Joe Bush dies in Ft.Lauderdale, FL at the age of 82. |
| Thursday, November 7 |
| Future Pirate Kris Benson is born in Superior, WI. |
| Saturday, December 28 |
| Former Pirate Jack Salveson dies in Norwalk, CA at the age of 61. |
| Sunday, December 29 |
| Future Pirate Emil Brown is born in Chicago, IL. |
Game information provided by Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) |