| Monday, March 15 |
| Former Pirate Eddie Mulligan dies in San Rafael, CA at the age of 88. |
| Sunday, April 4 |
| Former Pirate Mel Queen dies in Fort Smith, AR at the age of 65. |
| Friday, April 9 |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Gott (Blue Jays) Kevin Bass and Doug Jones (Brewers) |
| Saturday, April 10 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (1-3), 11-7 | Busch Stadium II (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: Rod Scurry (1-0) L: Mark Littell (0-1) S: John Candelaria (1) | Second | ½ out |
| Sunday, April 11 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (2-3), 7-6 | Busch Stadium II (1-1) | 1-1 | |
| » W: Jim Kaat (1-0) L: Enrique Romo (0-1) | Third | 1 out |
| Monday, April 12 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (3-3), 5-4 | Busch Stadium II (1-2) | 1-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Martin (1-1) L: Tom Griffin (0-1) S: Bruce Sutter (1) | Fourth | 1 out |
| Wednesday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Expos (3-1), 5-4 | Stade Olympique (0-1) | 1-3 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Scott Sanderson (1-0) L: Eddie Solomon (0-1) S: Woodie Fryman (1) | Fifth | 2 out |
| Thursday, April 15 |
| » Defeated Expos (3-2), 4-3 | Stade Olympique (1-1) | 2-3 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (1-0) L: Steve Rogers (1-1) S: Rod Scurry (1) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Friday, April 16 |
| » Defeated Cubs (3-7), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-0) | 3-3 | Won 2 |
| » W: Enrique Romo (1-1) L: Willie Hernandez (0-1) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Saturday, April 17 |
| » Lost to Cubs (4-7), 10-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-1) | 3-4 | |
| » W: Dickie Noles (2-1) L: Ross Baumgarten (0-1) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Sunday, April 18 |
| » Lost to Cubs (5-7), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-2) | 3-5 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Fergie Jenkins (2-1) L: Eddie Solomon (0-2) S: Randy Martz (1) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Tuesday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (10-3), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-3) | 3-6 | Lost 3 |
| » W: John Martin (2-1) L: Rick Rhoden (0-1) S: Bruce Sutter (4) | Fifth | 5 out |
| Wednesday, April 21 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (11-3), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-4) | 3-7 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Steve Mura (2-0) L: John Candelaria (0-1) S: Bruce Sutter (5) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Friday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Cubs (5-10), 12-10 | Wrigley Field (1-0) | 4-7 | |
| » W: Eddie Solomon (1-2) L: Dickie Noles (2-2) S: Kent Tekulve (1) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Saturday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Cubs (5-11), 8-5 | Wrigley Field (2-0) | 5-7 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (1-0) L: Randy Martz (0-2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Sunday, April 25 |
| » Lost to Cubs (6-11), 5-3 | Wrigley Field (2-1) | 5-8 | |
| » W: Randy Martz (1-2) L: Rick Rhoden (0-2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Monday, April 26 |
| » Defeated Braves (13-4), 6-4 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-0) | 6-8 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (2-0) L: Larry McWilliams (2-1) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, April 27 |
| » Defeated Braves (13-5), 10-4 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-0) | 7-8 | Won 2 |
| » W: Tom Griffin (1-1) L: Bob Walk (2-2) | Fourth | 4 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Randy Johnson (Braves) |
| Wednesday, April 28 |
| » Lost to Braves (14-5), 7-6 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-1) | 7-9 | |
| » W: Rick Camp (3-1) L: Rod Scurry (1-1) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Thursday, April 29 |
| » Defeated Astros (8-14), 9-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-4) | 8-9 | |
| » W: Enrique Romo (2-1) L: Mike LaCoss (1-1) S: Rod Scurry (2) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Astros (9-14), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-5) | 8-10 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (3-1) L: Rick Rhoden (0-3) S: Dave Smith (2) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Saturday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Astros (10-14), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-6) | 8-11 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (2-4) L: Paul Moskau (0-1) S: Dave Smith (3) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Cecilio Guante (Pirates) |
| Sunday, May 2 |
| » Lost to Astros (11-14), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-7) | 8-12 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Joe Niekro (3-1) L: Tom Griffin (1-2) S: Randy Moffitt (1) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Monday, May 3 |
| » Lost to Braves (18-6), 10-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-8) | 8-13 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Phil Niekro (1-0) L: Eddie Solomon (1-3) S: Gene Garber (5) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Tuesday, May 4 |
| » Defeated Braves (18-7), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-8) | 9-13 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (2-0) L: Joe Cowley (0-1) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, May 5 |
| » Defeated Braves (18-8), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-8) | 10-13 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (1-3) L: Rick Mahler (2-2) S: Kent Tekulve (2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Friday, May 7 |
| » Lost to Reds (12-14), 5-0 | Riverfront Stadium (0-1) | 10-14 | |
| » W: Mario Soto (2-2) L: Paul Moskau (0-2) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Saturday, May 8 |
| » Defeated Reds (12-15), 4-2 | Riverfront Stadium (1-1) | 11-14 | |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (1-0) L: Bob Shirley (1-2) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Sunday, May 9 |
| » Defeated Reds (12-16), 6-3 | Riverfront Stadium (2-1) | 12-14 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (3-0) L: Tom Seaver (1-4) S: Kent Tekulve (3) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Monday, May 10 |
| » Lost to Astros (13-18), 7-3 | Astrodome (0-1) | 12-15 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (5-1) L: Rick Rhoden (1-4) | Fifth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 11 |
| » Lost to Astros (14-18), 4-2 | Astrodome (0-2) | 12-16 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (3-5) L: Tom Griffin (1-3) S: Dave Smith (5) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Thursday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Reds (14-17), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-9) | 12-17 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Joe Price (1-1) L: Rod Scurry (1-2) S: Tom Hume (8) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Friday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Reds (14-18), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-9) | 13-17 | |
| » W: Enrique Romo (3-1) L: Jim Kern (0-3) S: Kent Tekulve (4) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Saturday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Reds (14-19), 12-9 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-9) | 14-17 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (2-4) L: Frank Pastore (4-3) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Sunday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Reds (15-19), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-10) | 14-18 | |
| » W: Mario Soto (3-3) L: Eddie Solomon (1-4) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Monday, May 17 |
| Former Pirate Dixie Walker dies in Birmingham, AL at the age of 72. |
| Tuesday, May 18 |
| » Lost to Giants (16-21), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (0-1) | 14-19 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bill Laskey (3-2) L: John Candelaria (0-2) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Wednesday, May 19 |
| » Defeated Giants (16-22), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (1-1) | 15-19 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (4-0) L: Mike Chris (0-1) S: Kent Tekulve (5) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Thursday, May 20 |
| » Lost to Giants (17-22), 3-1 | Candlestick Park (1-2) | 15-20 | |
| » W: Gary Lavelle (2-2) L: Rod Scurry (1-3) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Friday, May 21 |
| » Lost to Padres (20-17), 7-5 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-1) | 15-21 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Montefusco (2-4) L: Eddie Solomon (1-5) S: Gary Lucas (6) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Saturday, May 22 |
| » Lost to Padres (21-17), 12-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-2) | 15-22 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Juan Eichelberger (4-5) L: Paul Moskau (0-3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Sunday, May 23 |
| » Defeated Padres (21-18), 4-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-2) | 16-22 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (1-2) L: John Curtis (2-3) S: Rod Scurry (3) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Monday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (21-22), 9-3 | Dodger Stadium (1-0) | 17-22 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (5-0) L: Tom Niedenfuer (1-2) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (22-22), 5-2 | Dodger Stadium (1-1) | 17-23 | |
| » W: Fernando Valenzuela (6-4) L: Rick Rhoden (2-5) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (23-22), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (1-2) | 17-24 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (5-4) L: Eddie Solomon (1-6) S: Steve Howe (1) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Friday, May 28 |
| » Lost to Giants (20-27), 10-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-11) | 17-25 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bill Laskey (4-2) L: John Candelaria (1-3) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Saturday, May 29 |
| » Lost to Giants (21-27), 9-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-12) | 17-26 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Jim Barr (1-0) L: Don Robinson (5-1) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Sunday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Giants (21-28), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-12) | 18-26 | |
| » W: Eddie Solomon (2-6) L: Jim Barr (1-1) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Monday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (25-24), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-13) | 18-27 | |
| » W: Steve Howe (3-1) L: Kent Tekulve (2-1) S: Terry Forster (2) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Tuesday, June 1 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (25-25), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-13) | 19-27 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (2-3) L: Jerry Reuss (5-5) S: Kent Tekulve (6) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Wednesday, June 2 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (25-26), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-13) | 20-27 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (2-3) L: Vicente Romo (0-1) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Thursday, June 3 |
| » Defeated Expos (25-22), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-13) | 21-27 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (3-3) L: Bryn Smith (0-1) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Friday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Padres (28-21), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-14) | 21-28 | |
| » W: John Curtis (4-3) L: Rick Rhoden (2-6) S: Gary Lucas (7) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, June 6 |
| » Defeated Padres (28-22), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-14) | 22-28 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (3-1) L: Tim Lollar (5-1) | Fifth | 9 out |
| Monday, June 7 |
| » Defeated Mets (28-26), 4-3 | Shea Stadium (1-0) | 23-28 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (4-3) L: Neil Allen (1-3) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Tuesday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Mets (28-27), 6-2 | Shea Stadium (2-0) | 24-28 | Won 3 |
| » W: Don Robinson (6-1) L: Jesse Orosco (0-5) S: Kent Tekulve (7) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, June 9 |
| » Lost to Mets (29-27), 3-2 | Shea Stadium (2-1) | 24-29 | |
| » W: Neil Allen (2-3) L: Kent Tekulve (3-2) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Friday, June 11 |
| » Defeated Phillies (30-25), 1-0 | Veteran's Stadium (1-0) | 25-29 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (4-2) L: Larry Christenson (3-4) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Saturday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Phillies (30-26), 9-2 | Veteran's Stadium (2-0) | 26-29 | Won 2 |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (2-0) L: Mike Krukow (4-5) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Monday, June 14 |
| » Lost to Mets (31-28), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-15) | 26-30 | |
| » W: Pete Falcone (4-2) L: Don Robinson (6-2) S: Neil Allen (15) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Tuesday, June 15 |
| » Defeated Mets (31-29), 13-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-15) | 27-30 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (3-6) L: Charlie Puleo (5-4) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Thursday, June 17 |
| » Lost to Phillies (31-29), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-16) | 27-31 | |
| » W: Ron Reed (2-1) L: Rod Scurry (4-4) | Fourth | 8 out |
| Friday, June 18 |
| » Lost to Phillies (32-29), 8-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-17) | 27-32 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Krukow (5-5) L: Manny Sarmiento (2-1) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Phillies (33-29), 8-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-18) | 27-33 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (8-7) L: Don Robinson (6-3) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Sunday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Phillies (33-30), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-18) | 28-33 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (5-2) L: Dick Ruthven (5-5) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Monday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Cubs (25-43), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-18) | 29-33 | Won 2 |
| » W: Paul Moskau (1-3) L: Lee Smith (1-2) S: Kent Tekulve (8) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Cubs (25-44), 9-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-18) | 30-33 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (3-3) L: Randy Martz (4-6) S: Enrique Romo (1) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Cubs (26-44), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-19) | 30-34 | |
| » W: Bill Campbell (1-3) L: Randy Niemann (0-1) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Expos (38-29), 4-3 | Stade Olympique (2-1) | 31-34 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (7-3) L: Scott Sanderson (6-5) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| » Defeated Expos (38-30), 9-7 | Stade Olympique (3-1) | 32-34 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (4-6) L: Ray Burris (3-9) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Saturday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Expos (38-31), 14-5 | Stade Olympique (4-1) | 33-34 | Won 3 |
| » W: Enrique Romo (4-1) L: Charlie Lea (6-3) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Sunday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Expos (39-31), 5-2 | Stade Olympique (4-2) | 33-35 | |
| » W: David Palmer (3-1) L: John Candelaria (3-4) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Monday, June 28 |
| » Lost to Cubs (29-46), 6-4 | Wrigley Field (2-2) | 33-36 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dick Tidrow (3-1) L: Enrique Romo (4-2) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Tuesday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Cubs (29-47), 3-1 | Wrigley Field (3-2) | 34-36 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (5-6) L: Fergie Jenkins (5-9) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Cubs (29-48), 7-3 | Wrigley Field (4-2) | 35-36 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (8-3) L: Lee Smith (1-4) S: Rod Scurry (4) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Thursday, July 1 |
| » Defeated Cubs (29-49), 5-2 | Wrigley Field (5-2) | 36-36 | Won 3 |
| » W: Enrique Romo (5-2) L: Bill Campbell (1-4) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, July 2 |
| » Defeated Expos (40-34), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-19) | 37-36 | Won 4 |
| » W: John Candelaria (4-4) L: Charlie Lea (6-4) S: Kent Tekulve (9) | Fourth | 3 out |
| » Defeated Expos (40-35), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-19) | 38-36 | Won 5 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (3-3) L: Dan Schatzeder (1-5) S: Rod Scurry (5) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Saturday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Expos (40-36), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-19) | 39-36 | Won 6 |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (3-1) L: David Palmer (3-2) S: Kent Tekulve (10) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Roy Johnson (Expos) |
| Sunday, July 4 |
| » Lost to Expos (41-36), 16-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-20) | 39-37 | |
| » W: Steve Rogers (10-3) L: Rick Rhoden (5-7) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| » Defeated Expos (41-37), 10-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-20) | 40-37 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (9-3) L: Bill Gullickson (5-8) S: Kent Tekulve (11) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Monday, July 5 |
| » Lost to Astros (34-45), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-21) | 40-38 | |
| » W: Joe Niekro (7-6) L: Ross Baumgarten (0-2) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, July 6 |
| » Defeated Astros (34-46), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-21) | 41-38 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (4-3) L: Bob Knepper (2-10) | Third | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, July 7 |
| » Lost to Reds (32-49), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-22) | 41-39 | |
| » W: Tom Hume (2-4) L: Kent Tekulve (5-3) S: Greg Harris (1) | Third | 3½ out |
| Thursday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Reds (32-50), 9-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (21-22) | 42-39 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (6-3) L: Joe Price (2-3) | Third | 3½ out |
| Friday, July 9 |
| » Lost to Braves (51-31), 6-4 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-2) | 42-40 | |
| » W: Carlos Diaz (2-0) L: Rick Rhoden (5-8) S: Steve Bedrosian (5) | Third | 4½ out |
| Saturday, July 10 |
| » Defeated Braves (51-32), 6-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (3-2) | 43-40 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (10-3) L: Phil Niekro (6-3) | Third | 3½ out |
| Sunday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Braves (51-33), 3-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (4-2) | 44-40 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (5-3) L: Ken Dayley (4-6) S: Kent Tekulve (12) | Third | 2½ out |
| Former Pirate Chet Nichols dies in Pawtucket, RI at the age of 86. |
| Thursday, July 15 |
| » Defeated Astros (37-49), 5-1 | Astrodome (1-2) | 45-40 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (5-4) L: Don Sutton (9-5) S: Rod Scurry (6) | Third | 2½ out |
| Friday, July 16 |
| » Lost to Astros (38-49), 4-2 | Astrodome (1-3) | 45-41 | |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (9-9) L: Larry McWilliams (5-4) | Third | 3½ out |
| Saturday, July 17 |
| » Lost to Astros (39-49), 4-3 | Astrodome (1-4) | 45-42 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Joe Niekro (9-6) L: Kent Tekulve (6-4) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Sunday, July 18 |
| » Lost to Astros (40-49), 4-2 | Astrodome (1-5) | 45-43 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bob Knepper (4-10) L: Don Robinson (10-4) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Monday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Reds (34-57), 5-4 | Riverfront Stadium (3-1) | 46-43 | |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (4-1) L: Frank Pastore (4-7) S: Kent Tekulve (13) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Reds (34-58), 3-1 | Riverfront Stadium (4-1) | 47-43 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (6-4) L: Bruce Berenyi (6-10) S: Kent Tekulve (14) | Third | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Reds (34-59), 3-2 | Riverfront Stadium (5-1) | 48-43 | Won 3 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (6-4) L: Tom Hume (2-6) S: Kent Tekulve (15) | Third | 3½ out |
| Thursday, July 22 |
| Former Pirate Lloyd Waner dies in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 77. |
| Friday, July 23 |
| » Defeated Braves (56-36), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-22) | 49-43 | Won 4 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (6-8) L: Rick Camp (7-4) | Third | 3½ out |
| Saturday, July 24 |
| » Lost to Braves (57-36), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-23) | 49-44 | |
| » W: Phil Niekro (9-3) L: Don Robinson (10-5) S: Gene Garber (18) | Third | 3½ out |
| Sunday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Braves (57-37), 8-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-23) | 50-44 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (7-4) L: Rick Mahler (8-8) | Third | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, July 27 |
| » Defeated Phillies (54-42), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-23) | 51-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (7-4) L: Dick Ruthven (8-8) S: Rod Scurry (7) | Third | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Phillies (55-42), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-24) | 51-45 | |
| » W: Larry Christenson (6-5) L: Rick Rhoden (6-9) S: Ron Reed (4) | Third | 4½ out |
| Thursday, July 29 |
| » Defeated Mets (44-55), 4-1 | Shea Stadium (3-1) | 52-45 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (11-5) L: Pete Falcone (6-7) | Third | 3½ out |
| Former Pirate Luke Boone dies in Pittsburgh, PA at the age of 93. |
| Friday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Mets (44-56), 5-1 | Shea Stadium (4-1) | 53-45 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (8-4) L: Craig Swan (6-4) S: Manny Sarmiento (1) | Third | 3½ out |
| Saturday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Mets (45-56), 9-4 | Shea Stadium (4-2) | 53-46 | |
| » W: Charlie Puleo (8-7) L: Kent Tekulve (6-5) S: Neil Allen (18) | Third | 4½ out |
| Sunday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Mets (45-57), 4-3 | Shea Stadium (5-2) | 54-46 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (7-5) L: Terry Leach (1-1) S: Rod Scurry (8) | Third | 3½ out |
| Monday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (58-46), 4-2 | Busch Stadium II (2-2) | 55-46 | Won 2 |
| » W: Enrique Romo (6-2) L: Jim Kaat (4-2) | Third | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, August 3 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (59-46), 4-2 | Busch Stadium II (2-3) | 55-47 | |
| » W: Bob Forsch (11-5) L: Don Robinson (11-6) S: Bruce Sutter (22) | Third | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, August 4 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (59-47), 5-2 | Busch Stadium II (3-3) | 56-47 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (9-4) L: Dave LaPoint (5-3) S: Rod Scurry (9) | Third | 4½ out |
| Thursday, August 5 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (60-47), 7-3 | Busch Stadium II (3-4) | 56-48 | |
| » W: Steve Mura (9-7) L: Larry McWilliams (7-5) | Third | 4½ out |
| Friday, August 6 |
| » Defeated Mets (46-60), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-24) | 57-48 | |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (5-1) L: Mike Scott (7-9) | Third | 4 out |
| » Lost to Mets (47-60), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-25) | 57-49 | |
| » W: Randy Jones (7-8) L: Ross Baumgarten (0-3) S: Neil Allen (19) | Third | 4 out |
| Saturday, August 7 |
| » Lost to Mets (48-60), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-26) | 57-50 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Pat Zachry (6-4) L: Rick Rhoden (6-10) | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Mets (48-61), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-26) | 58-50 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (12-6) L: Craig Swan (7-5) S: Kent Tekulve (16) | Third | 3 out |
| Monday, August 9 |
| » Lost to Phillies (62-47), 4-3 | Veteran's Stadium (2-1) | 58-51 | |
| » W: Steve Carlton (16-8) L: Kent Tekulve (7-6) | Third | 4 out |
| Tuesday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Phillies (63-47), 9-5 | Veteran's Stadium (2-2) | 58-52 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Marty Bystrom (4-4) L: Manny Sarmiento (5-2) | Third | 4 out |
| » Defeated Phillies (63-48), 9-6 | Veteran's Stadium (3-2) | 59-52 | |
| » W: Enrique Romo (7-2) L: Ron Reed (3-3) S: Kent Tekulve (17) | Third | 4 out |
| Wednesday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (64-48), 4-1 | Veteran's Stadium (3-3) | 59-53 | |
| » W: Sid Monge (5-0) L: Rick Rhoden (6-11) S: Ron Reed (7) | Third | 5 out |
| Thursday, August 12 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (64-49), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-27) | 59-54 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Joaquin Andujar (9-10) L: Ross Baumgarten (0-4) S: Bruce Sutter (23) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Friday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (64-50), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-27) | 60-54 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (13-6) L: Bob Forsch (11-7) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Saturday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (65-50), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-28) | 60-55 | |
| » W: John Stuper (5-2) L: John Candelaria (9-5) S: Bruce Sutter (24) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Sunday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (66-50), 12-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-29) | 60-56 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Mura (11-7) L: Larry McWilliams (7-6) | Fourth | 7 out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (67-50), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-30) | 60-57 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dave LaPoint (6-3) L: Manny Sarmiento (5-3) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, August 17 |
| » Defeated Giants (62-58), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-30) | 61-57 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (7-11) L: Atlee Hammaker (8-7) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Wednesday, August 18 |
| » Lost to Giants (63-58), 16-9 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-31) | 61-58 | |
| » W: Alan Fowlkes (4-2) L: Don Robinson (13-7) | Fourth | 8 out |
| Thursday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Giants (63-59), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-31) | 62-58 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (10-5) L: Rich Gale (5-12) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Friday, August 20 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (69-54), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-32) | 62-59 | |
| » W: Fernando Valenzuela (16-9) L: Larry McWilliams (7-7) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Saturday, August 21 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (69-55), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-32) | 63-59 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (8-6) L: Steve Howe (6-3) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Sunday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (69-56), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (31-32) | 64-59 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (14-7) L: Joe Beckwith (2-1) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Monday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Padres (65-60), 8-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-32) | 65-59 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (11-5) L: Andy Hawkins (2-4) S: Rod Scurry (10) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| » Lost to Padres (66-60), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-33) | 65-60 | |
| » W: Chris Welsh (7-5) L: Ross Baumgarten (0-5) S: Floyd Chiffer (4) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Padres (66-61), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-33) | 66-60 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (9-6) L: Juan Eichelberger (6-11) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Padres (66-62), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-33) | 67-60 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (10-6) L: Floyd Chiffer (4-2) | Third | 5½ out |
| Friday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Giants (64-65), 3-2 | Candlestick Park (2-2) | 68-60 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (8-11) L: Bill Laskey (12-10) S: Rod Scurry (11) | Third | 5½ out |
| Saturday, August 28 |
| » Lost to Giants (65-65), 4-2 | Candlestick Park (2-3) | 68-61 | |
| » W: Atlee Hammaker (9-7) L: Don Robinson (14-8) S: Greg Minton (23) | Third | 6 out |
| Sunday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Giants (65-66), 4-3 | Candlestick Park (3-3) | 69-61 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (12-5) L: Renie Martin (5-8) S: Rod Scurry (12) | Third | 5½ out |
| Monday, August 30 |
| » Lost to Padres (68-64), 2-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-3) | 69-62 | |
| » W: Luis DeLeon (6-4) L: Kent Tekulve (10-7) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, August 31 |
| » Defeated Padres (68-65), 7-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (2-3) | 70-62 | |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (6-3) L: John Montefusco (9-9) | Third | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, September 1 |
| » Lost to Padres (69-65), 4-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (2-4) | 70-63 | |
| » W: Juan Eichelberger (7-11) L: Rick Rhoden (8-12) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Friday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (74-61), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (2-2) | 71-63 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (15-8) L: Bob Welch (15-10) S: Rod Scurry (13) | Third | 5½ out |
| Saturday, September 4 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (74-62), 1-0 | Dodger Stadium (3-2) | 72-63 | Won 2 |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (1-0) L: Fernando Valenzuela (17-11) S: Kent Tekulve (18) | Third | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Lee Tunnell (Pirates) |
| Sunday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (75-62), 2-1 | Dodger Stadium (3-3) | 72-64 | |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (3-2) L: Kent Tekulve (10-8) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Doug Frobel (Pirates) |
| Monday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Mets (53-82), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-33) | 73-64 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (9-12) L: Pete Falcone (7-9) | Third | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Rafael Belliard (Pirates) Doug Sisk (Mets) |
| Tuesday, September 7 |
| » Defeated Mets (53-83), 9-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-33) | 74-64 | Won 2 |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (7-3) L: Mike Scott (7-13) | Third | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Mets (54-83), 9-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-34) | 74-65 | |
| » W: Rick Ownbey (1-2) L: Don Robinson (15-9) | Third | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Walt Terrell (Mets) |
| Friday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Phillies (79-61), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-35) | 74-66 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dick Ruthven (11-10) L: John Candelaria (12-6) S: Sid Monge (2) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Saturday, September 11 |
| » Defeated Phillies (79-62), 10-9 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-35) | 75-66 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (11-8) L: Ron Reed (4-5) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Sunday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Phillies (79-63), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-35) | 76-66 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (10-12) L: Larry Christenson (8-10) S: Kent Tekulve (19) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Monday, September 13 |
| » Lost to Cubs (62-82), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-36) | 76-67 | |
| » W: Allen Ripley (5-7) L: Don Robinson (15-10) S: Willie Hernandez (10) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Tuesday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Cubs (62-83), 15-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-36) | 77-67 | |
| » W: Randy Niemann (1-1) L: Dickie Noles (8-12) S: Larry McWilliams (1) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, September 15 |
| » Lost to Cubs (63-83), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-37) | 77-68 | |
| » W: Fergie Jenkins (11-15) L: John Candelaria (12-7) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, September 17 |
| » Defeated Phillies (80-66), 4-2 | Veteran's Stadium (4-3) | 78-68 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (11-12) L: Steve Carlton (20-10) S: Kent Tekulve (20) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Future Pirate Sean Burnett is born in Dunedin, FL. | <