| Sunday, January 23 |
| Former Pirate Cookie Cuccurullo dies in W.Orange, NJ at the age of 65. |
| Saturday, March 12 |
| Former Pirate Bob Hall dies in St.Petersburg, FL at the age of 60. |
| Tuesday, April 5 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (0-1), 7-1 | Busch Stadium II (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (1-0) L: Bob Forsch (0-1) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Rafael Santana (Cardinals) |
| Thursday, April 7 |
| » Defeated Astros (0-3), 3-2 | Astrodome (1-0) | 2-0 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (1-0) L: Bob Knepper (0-1) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 8 |
| » Defeated Astros (0-4), 5-3 | Astrodome (2-0) | 3-0 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (2-0) L: Frank DiPino (0-1) S: Jim Bibby (1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 9 |
| » Defeated Astros (0-5), 1-0 | Astrodome (3-0) | 4-0 | Won 4 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (1-0) L: Joe Niekro (0-1) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 10 |
| » Defeated Astros (0-6), 10-8 | Astrodome (4-0) | 5-0 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (1-0) L: Julio Solano (0-1) S: Rod Scurry (1) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Winn (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, April 12 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (2-1), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-1) | 5-1 | |
| » W: Bruce Sutter (1-0) L: Jim Bibby (1-1) S: Eric Rasmussen (1) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 13 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (3-1), 9-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-2) | 5-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Joaquin Andujar (2-0) L: Lee Tunnell (0-1) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, April 16 |
| » Lost to Cubs (2-7), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-3) | 5-3 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (1-0) L: Larry McWilliams (1-1) S: Lee Smith (1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, April 17 |
| » Defeated Cubs (2-8), 7-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-3) | 6-3 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (2-0) L: Steve Trout (1-2) S: Rick Rhoden (1) | Second | 1 out |
| Wednesday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Mets (3-6), 6-0 | Shea Stadium (0-1) | 6-4 | |
| » W: Tom Seaver (1-0) L: Larry McWilliams (1-2) | Fourth | 2 out |
| » Lost to Mets (4-6), 7-5 | Shea Stadium (0-2) | 6-5 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Carlos Diaz (1-0) L: Kent Tekulve (0-1) S: Neil Allen (2) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Friday, April 22 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (10-4), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-4) | 6-6 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (3-0) L: Rick Rhoden (0-1) S: Alejandro Pena (1) | Third | 2 out |
| Saturday, April 23 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (11-4), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-5) | 6-7 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Bob Welch (1-2) L: John Candelaria (2-1) S: Steve Howe (3) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, April 26 |
| » Defeated Giants (5-13), 3-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-5) | 7-7 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (2-2) L: Fred Breining (2-2) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Wednesday, April 27 |
| » Lost to Giants (6-13), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-6) | 7-8 | |
| » W: Bill Laskey (1-4) L: Rick Rhoden (0-2) S: Greg Minton (3) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Saturday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Padres (10-11), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-7) | 7-9 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Andy Hawkins (1-1) L: John Candelaria (2-2) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| » Defeated Padres (10-12), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-7) | 8-9 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (3-2) L: Luis DeLeon (0-1) S: Rod Scurry (2) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Monday, May 2 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (15-7), 5-1 | Dodger Stadium (1-0) | 9-9 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (1-2) L: Jerry Reuss (3-1) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, May 3 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (16-7), 5-4 | Dodger Stadium (1-1) | 9-10 | |
| » W: Alejandro Pena (4-1) L: Jim Bibby (1-2) S: Steve Howe (5) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Wednesday, May 4 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (17-7), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (1-2) | 9-11 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (2-0) L: Manny Sarmiento (0-1) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Friday, May 6 |
| » Lost to Giants (10-15), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (0-1) | 9-12 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Andy McGaffigan (2-2) L: John Candelaria (2-3) S: Gary Lavelle (2) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Saturday, May 7 |
| » Lost to Giants (11-15), 5-1 | Candlestick Park (0-2) | 9-13 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Fred Breining (3-3) L: Rick Rhoden (1-3) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Sunday, May 8 |
| » Lost to Giants (12-15), 12-1 | Candlestick Park (0-3) | 9-14 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Bill Laskey (3-4) L: Jim Bibby (1-3) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Monday, May 9 |
| » Defeated Padres (13-16), 5-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-0) | 10-14 | |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (1-1) L: Mike Couchee (0-1) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 10 |
| » Lost to Padres (14-16), 4-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-1) | 10-15 | |
| » W: Andy Hawkins (2-1) L: Rod Scurry (2-1) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Thursday, May 12 |
| » Defeated Mets (9-19), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-7) | 11-15 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (3-3) L: Mike Torrez (1-5) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, May 13 |
| » Defeated Mets (9-20), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-7) | 12-15 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (1-1) L: Carlos Diaz (1-1) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Saturday, May 14 |
| » Lost to Mets (10-20), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-8) | 12-16 | |
| » W: Neil Allen (1-4) L: Larry McWilliams (3-3) S: Jesse Orosco (2) | Third | 4 out |
| Monday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Mets (11-20), 11-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-9) | 12-17 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ed Lynch (2-1) L: Jim Bibby (1-4) S: Craig Swan (1) | Third | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 17 |
| » Lost to Reds (16-20), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-10) | 12-18 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mario Soto (5-2) L: John Candelaria (3-4) | Third | 6 out |
| Wednesday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Reds (16-21), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-10) | 13-18 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (2-3) L: Bruce Berenyi (3-4) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Friday, May 20 |
| » Defeated Astros (16-24), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-10) | 14-18 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (4-3) L: Bob Knepper (1-6) S: Kent Tekulve (1) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Saturday, May 21 |
| » Lost to Astros (17-24), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-11) | 14-19 | |
| » W: Mike LaCoss (3-3) L: Randy Niemann (0-1) S: Frank DiPino (1) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Monday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Braves (26-13), 6-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-1) | 14-20 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Pete Falcone (2-1) L: Rick Rhoden (2-4) S: Donnie Moore (1) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Braves (26-14), 6-5 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-1) | 15-20 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (5-3) L: Rick Camp (3-4) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Braves (27-14), 6-0 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-2) | 15-21 | |
| » W: Craig McMurtry (7-1) L: Jim Bibby (1-5) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Thursday, May 26 |
| » Defeated Reds (19-25), 6-4 | Riverfront Stadium (1-0) | 16-21 | |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (1-1) L: Charlie Puleo (0-2) S: Kent Tekulve (2) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Friday, May 27 |
| » Lost to Reds (20-25), 9-0 | Riverfront Stadium (1-1) | 16-22 | |
| » W: Mario Soto (7-2) L: John Candelaria (3-5) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, May 28 |
| » Lost to Reds (21-25), 4-3 | Riverfront Stadium (1-2) | 16-23 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ben Hayes (1-0) L: Rod Scurry (2-2) S: Bill Scherrer (2) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Sunday, May 29 |
| » Defeated Reds (21-26), 8-5 | Riverfront Stadium (2-2) | 17-23 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (6-3) L: Bill Scherrer (1-2) S: Manny Sarmiento (1) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Monday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Braves (29-17), 8-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-11) | 18-23 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (2-5) L: Craig McMurtry (7-2) S: Kent Tekulve (3) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Braves (30-17), 10-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-12) | 18-24 | |
| » W: Phil Niekro (2-4) L: Lee Tunnell (1-2) S: Steve Bedrosian (6) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, June 1 |
| » Lost to Braves (31-17), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-13) | 18-25 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Pascual Perez (6-1) L: John Candelaria (3-6) S: Gene Garber (4) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Thursday, June 2 |
| » Lost to Cubs (19-28), 3-2 | Wrigley Field (0-1) | 18-26 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Steve Trout (4-6) L: Rick Rhoden (2-5) S: Lee Smith (7) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 3 |
| » Lost to Cubs (20-28), 9-3 | Wrigley Field (0-2) | 18-27 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dick Ruthven (3-4) L: Rod Scurry (2-3) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Cubs (21-28), 5-2 | Wrigley Field (0-3) | 18-28 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Fergie Jenkins (2-3) L: Jim Bibby (2-6) S: Bill Campbell (4) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 5 |
| » Lost to Cubs (22-28), 3-1 | Wrigley Field (0-4) | 18-29 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Craig Lefferts (1-3) L: Lee Tunnell (1-3) S: Lee Smith (8) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, June 7 |
| » Defeated Expos (26-23), 3-2 | Stade Olympique (1-0) | 19-29 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (4-6) L: Charlie Lea (3-2) S: Kent Tekulve (4) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 8 |
| » Lost to Expos (27-23), 5-4 | Stade Olympique (1-1) | 19-30 | |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (6-6) L: Rick Rhoden (2-6) S: Jeff Reardon (6) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Thursday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Expos (27-24), 6-3 | Stade Olympique (2-1) | 20-30 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (7-3) L: Steve Rogers (7-3) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 10 |
| » Defeated Phillies (23-26), 4-3 | Veteran's Stadium (1-0) | 21-30 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (2-1) L: Ed Farmer (0-4) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (24-26), 9-7 | Veteran's Stadium (1-1) | 21-31 | |
| » W: Steve Carlton (7-6) L: Rod Scurry (2-4) S: Al Holland (3) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 12 |
| » Lost to Phillies (25-26), 5-4 | Veteran's Stadium (1-2) | 21-32 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ron Reed (4-1) L: Rod Scurry (2-5) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Monday, June 13 |
| » Defeated Expos (28-27), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-13) | 22-32 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (3-6) L: Bill Gullickson (6-7) S: Kent Tekulve (5) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, June 14 |
| » Lost to Expos (29-27), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-14) | 22-33 | |
| » W: Steve Rogers (8-3) L: Larry McWilliams (7-4) S: Jeff Reardon (8) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, June 15 |
| » Lost to Expos (30-27), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-15) | 22-34 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ray Burris (2-2) L: Jim Bibby (2-7) S: Jeff Reardon (9) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Marvell Wynne (Pirates) |
| Friday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Phillies (26-29), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-15) | 23-34 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (5-6) L: John Denny (4-4) S: Kent Tekulve (6) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, June 18 |
| » Lost to Phillies (27-29), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-16) | 23-35 | |
| » W: Marty Bystrom (2-3) L: Rick Rhoden (3-7) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Sunday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Phillies (28-29), 14-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-17) | 23-36 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Charles Hudson (1-1) L: Larry McWilliams (7-5) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Monday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Cubs (30-33), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-17) | 24-36 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (3-1) L: Bill Campbell (2-3) | Fifth | 8 out |
| » Defeated Cubs (30-34), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-17) | 25-36 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (1-0) L: Bill Campbell (2-4) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Tuesday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Cubs (30-35), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-17) | 26-36 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (4-7) L: Dickie Noles (0-3) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Cubs (30-36), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-17) | 27-36 | Won 4 |
| » W: John Candelaria (6-6) L: Chuck Rainey (7-6) S: Cecilio Guante (1) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Thursday, June 23 |
| » Defeated Cubs (30-37), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-17) | 28-36 | Won 5 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (8-5) L: Steve Trout (6-7) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 24 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (34-33), 8-2 | Busch Stadium II (2-0) | 29-36 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (3-7) L: Dave LaPoint (4-5) S: Manny Sarmiento (2) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (34-34), 10-3 | Busch Stadium II (3-0) | 30-36 | Won 7 |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (2-3) L: Kevin Hagen (2-1) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Sunday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (34-35), 5-0 | Busch Stadium II (4-0) | 31-36 | Won 8 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (5-7) L: Neil Allen (3-8) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Monday, June 27 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (34-36), 6-1 | Busch Stadium II (5-0) | 32-36 | Won 9 |
| » W: Cecilio Guante (1-0) L: Joaquin Andujar (3-11) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Tuesday, June 28 |
| » Lost to Cubs (33-39), 8-7 | Wrigley Field (0-5) | 32-37 | |
| » W: Craig Lefferts (2-3) L: Kent Tekulve (3-2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, June 29 |
| » Lost to Cubs (34-39), 5-0 | Wrigley Field (0-6) | 32-38 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dick Ruthven (5-5) L: Jim Bibby (3-8) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Thursday, June 30 |
| » Lost to Cubs (35-39), 4-3 | Wrigley Field (0-7) | 32-39 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Lee Smith (3-4) L: Manny Sarmiento (1-2) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 1 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (38-37), 13-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-18) | 32-40 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Joaquin Andujar (4-11) L: Don Robinson (1-1) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, July 2 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (38-38), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-18) | 33-40 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (7-6) L: Dave LaPoint (5-6) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, July 3 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (39-38), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-19) | 33-41 | |
| » W: Bob Forsch (6-7) L: Manny Sarmiento (1-3) S: Bruce Sutter (7) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Monday, July 4 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (39-39), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-19) | 34-41 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (6-7) L: Kevin Hagen (2-2) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (40-39), 11-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-20) | 34-42 | |
| » W: Neil Allen (5-8) L: Jim Bibby (3-9) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (47-32), 4-3 | Dodger Stadium (2-2) | 35-42 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (8-6) L: Jerry Reuss (6-7) S: Kent Tekulve (7) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Saturday, July 9 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (47-33), 3-0 | Dodger Stadium (3-2) | 36-42 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (9-5) L: Alejandro Pena (7-4) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Sunday, July 10 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (48-33), 10-3 | Dodger Stadium (3-3) | 36-43 | |
| » W: Burt Hooton (8-2) L: Rick Rhoden (6-8) S: Steve Howe (9) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Monday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Giants (42-42), 3-2 | Candlestick Park (1-3) | 37-43 | |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (2-3) L: Fred Breining (6-6) S: Rod Scurry (3) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, July 12 |
| » Defeated Giants (42-43), 6-2 | Candlestick Park (2-3) | 38-43 | Won 2 |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (3-3) L: Bill Laskey (10-8) S: Cecilio Guante (2) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, July 13 |
| » Defeated Giants (42-44), 7-6 | Candlestick Park (3-3) | 39-43 | Won 3 |
| » W: Manny Sarmiento (3-3) L: Greg Minton (2-6) S: Kent Tekulve (8) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Thursday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Padres (45-41), 8-6 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (2-1) | 40-43 | Won 4 |
| » W: Cecilio Guante (2-0) L: John Montefusco (8-2) S: Jim Bibby (2) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Friday, July 15 |
| » Defeated Padres (45-42), 4-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (3-1) | 41-43 | Won 5 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (4-2) L: Mark Thurmond (2-1) | Fourth | 1½ out |
| Saturday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Padres (45-43), 3-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (4-1) | 42-43 | Won 6 |
| » W: Don Robinson (2-1) L: Ed Whitson (2-5) S: Kent Tekulve (9) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Padres (45-44), 4-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (5-1) | 43-43 | Won 7 |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (4-3) L: Eric Show (9-6) S: Kent Tekulve (10) | Third | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (52-37), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-20) | 44-43 | Won 8 |
| » W: John Candelaria (9-6) L: Jerry Reuss (6-8) S: Rod Scurry (4) | Second | 1 out |
| » Lost to Dodgers (53-37), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-21) | 44-44 | |
| » W: Steve Howe (3-4) L: Manny Sarmiento (3-4) S: Tom Niedenfuer (4) | Second | 1 out |
| Wednesday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (53-38), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-21) | 45-44 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (7-8) L: Burt Hooton (8-4) | First | -- |
| Thursday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (53-39), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-21) | 46-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (5-2) L: Steve Howe (3-5) | First | -- |
| Friday, July 22 |
| » Lost to Giants (47-47), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-22) | 46-45 | |
| » W: Jim Barr (2-1) L: Rod Scurry (2-6) S: Greg Minton (10) | First | -- |
| Saturday, July 23 |
| » Defeated Giants (47-48), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (21-22) | 47-45 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (1-0) L: Renie Martin (1-1) S: Rod Scurry (5) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Jose DeLeon (Pirates) |
| Sunday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Giants (47-49), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-22) | 48-45 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (3-6) L: Mike Krukow (5-6) S: Kent Tekulve (11) | First | -- |
| » Lost to Giants (48-49), 8-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-23) | 48-46 | |
| » W: Greg Minton (5-6) L: Rod Scurry (3-7) S: Andy McGaffigan (1) | First | -- |
| Monday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Padres (48-48), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-23) | 49-46 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (8-8) L: Dave Dravecky (12-7) S: Cecilio Guante (3) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, July 26 |
| » Lost to Padres (49-48), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-24) | 49-47 | |
| » W: Mark Thurmond (4-1) L: Don Robinson (2-2) S: Luis DeLeon (8) | First | -- |
| » Defeated Padres (49-49), 10-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-24) | 50-47 | |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (5-3) L: Ed Whitson (2-6) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, July 27 |
| » Defeated Padres (49-50), 10-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-24) | 51-47 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (2-0) L: Eric Show (10-7) | First | -- |
| Thursday, July 28 |
| » Defeated Mets (37-63), 6-2 | Shea Stadium (1-2) | 52-47 | Won 3 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (10-5) L: Craig Swan (1-5) S: Rod Scurry (6) | First | -- |
| Friday, July 29 |
| » Defeated Mets (37-64), 2-1 | Shea Stadium (2-2) | 53-47 | Won 4 |
| » W: John Candelaria (10-6) L: Tom Seaver (6-11) S: Cecilio Guante (4) | First | -- |
| Saturday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Mets (37-65), 6-3 | Shea Stadium (3-2) | 54-47 | Won 5 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (4-7) L: Ed Lynch (7-5) S: Manny Sarmiento (3) | First | -- |
| Sunday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Mets (38-65), 7-6 | Shea Stadium (3-3) | 54-48 | |
| » W: Jesse Orosco (6-5) L: Jim Bibby (3-10) | First | -- |
| » Lost to Mets (39-65), 1-0 | Shea Stadium (3-4) | 54-49 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jesse Orosco (7-5) L: Manny Sarmiento (3-5) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Phillies (52-49), 10-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-24) | 55-49 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (11-5) L: Kevin Gross (2-3) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, August 3 |
| » Defeated Phillies (52-50), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-24) | 56-49 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (11-6) L: Marty Bystrom (3-7) S: Kent Tekulve (12) | First | -- |
| Thursday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Phillies (53-50), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-25) | 56-50 | |
| » W: Charles Hudson (6-3) L: Rick Rhoden (8-9) S: Al Holland (12) | First | -- |
| Friday, August 5 |
| » Lost to Expos (54-52), 7-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-26) | 56-51 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (10-10) L: Jose DeLeon (2-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, August 6 |
| » Lost to Expos (55-52), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-27) | 56-52 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bryn Smith (3-4) L: Lee Tunnell (5-4) | Second | 1½ out |
| Former Pirate Jimmy Wasdell dies in New Port Richey, FL at the age of 70. |
| Sunday, August 7 |
| » Lost to Expos (56-52), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-28) | 56-53 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Steve Rogers (14-6) L: Larry McWilliams (11-6) | Third | 1½ out |
| Monday, August 8 |
| » Lost to Phillies (57-50), 14-5 | Veteran's Stadium (1-3) | 56-54 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Charles Hudson (7-3) L: John Candelaria (11-7) | Third | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, August 9 |
| » Defeated Phillies (57-51), 3-1 | Veteran's Stadium (2-3) | 57-54 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (6-2) L: Al Holland (6-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Phillies (58-51), 4-2 | Veteran's Stadium (2-4) | 57-55 | |
| » W: Steve Carlton (11-11) L: Jose DeLeon (2-2) S: Al Holland (13) | Third | 2½ out |
| Friday, August 12 |
| » Defeated Expos (58-54), 6-3 | Stade Olympique (3-1) | 58-55 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (12-6) L: Steve Rogers (14-7) S: Cecilio Guante (5) | Third | 2½ out |
| Saturday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Expos (58-55), 2-0 | Stade Olympique (4-1) | 59-55 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (12-7) L: Bryn Smith (3-5) S: Kent Tekulve (13) | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, August 14 |
| » Defeated Expos (58-56), 5-3 | Stade Olympique (5-1) | 60-55 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (9-9) L: Dan Schatzeder (4-2) S: Kent Tekulve (14) | Second | 1½ out |
| Monday, August 15 |
| » Defeated Mets (48-69), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-28) | 61-55 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (3-2) L: Mike Torrez (6-14) S: Kent Tekulve (15) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Mets (48-70), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-28) | 62-55 | Won 5 |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (6-4) L: Craig Swan (2-6) S: Cecilio Guante (6) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, August 18 |
| » Lost to Reds (55-67), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-29) | 62-56 | |
| » W: Tom Hume (2-5) L: Kent Tekulve (6-3) S: Ben Hayes (5) | Second | 1½ out |
| Friday, August 19 |
| » Lost to Reds (56-67), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-30) | 62-57 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mario Soto (14-9) L: Rick Rhoden (9-10) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Reds (56-68), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-30) | 63-57 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (4-2) L: Bruce Berenyi (6-13) | Second | ½ out |
| Sunday, August 21 |
| » Lost to Reds (57-68), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-31) | 63-58 | |
| » W: Bill Scherrer (2-3) L: Cecilio Guante (2-1) | Second | ½ out |
| Tuesday, August 23 |
| » Lost to Astros (64-59), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-32) | 63-59 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Vern Ruhle (6-3) L: Kent Tekulve (6-4) S: Frank DiPino (12) | Second | ½ out |
| » Lost to Astros (65-59), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-33) | 63-60 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Joe Niekro (11-10) L: Lee Tunnell (6-5) S: Bill Dawley (12) | Second | ½ out |
| Wednesday, August 24 |
| » Lost to Astros (66-59), 10-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-34) | 63-61 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Mike Madden (6-2) L: Rick Rhoden (9-11) S: Mike LaCoss (1) | Second | ½ out |
| Thursday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Astros (66-60), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (31-34) | 64-61 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (5-2) L: Bob Knepper (5-13) S: Rod Scurry (7) | First | -- |
| Friday, August 26 |
| » Defeated Braves (75-53), 9-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-34) | 65-61 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (13-6) L: Pascual Perez (13-5) | First | -- |
| Saturday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Braves (75-54), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-34) | 66-61 | Won 3 |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (7-5) L: Ken Dayley (4-4) | First | -- |
| Sunday, August 28 |
| » Lost to Braves (76-54), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-35) | 66-62 | |
| » W: Pete Falcone (9-3) L: John Candelaria (12-8) S: Terry Forster (12) | First | -- |
| Monday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Reds (60-72), 2-1 | Riverfront Stadium (3-2) | 67-62 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (10-11) L: Mario Soto (14-11) S: Kent Tekulve (16) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, August 30 |
| » Defeated Reds (60-73), 5-3 | Riverfront Stadium (4-2) | 68-62 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (6-2) L: Jeff Russell (2-1) S: Kent Tekulve (17) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Astros (70-62), 4-1 | Astrodome (4-1) | 68-63 | |
| » W: Joe Niekro (12-11) L: Rod Scurry (4-8) | First | -- |
| Thursday, September 1 |
| » Lost to Astros (71-62), 3-0 | Astrodome (4-2) | 68-64 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (13-6) L: Cecilio Guante (2-2) S: Frank DiPino (14) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Joe Orsulak (Pirates) |
| Friday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Braves (76-59), 4-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-2) | 69-64 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (13-8) L: Ken Dayley (4-5) S: Kent Tekulve (18) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Jeff Dedmon (Braves) |
| Saturday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Braves (76-60), 6-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (3-2) | 70-64 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (4-10) L: Steve Bedrosian (8-8) S: Cecilio Guante (7) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 4 |
| » Lost to Braves (77-60), 6-5 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (3-3) | 70-65 | |
| » W: Terry Forster (3-2) L: Jim Bibby (4-11) S: Steve Bedrosian (19) | First | -- |
| Monday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (68-67), 7-4 | Busch Stadium II (5-1) | 70-66 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dave LaPoint (12-8) L: Rod Scurry (4-9) | First | -- |
| » Lost to Cardinals (69-67), 7-6 | Busch Stadium II (5-2) | 70-67 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Neil Allen (10-12) L: Cecilio Guante (2-3) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (69-68), 5-0 | Busch Stadium II (6-2) | 71-67 | |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (8-5) L: John Stuper (9-10) | Second | 1 out |
| Wednesday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (70-68), 5-2 | Busch Stadium II (6-3) | 71-68 | |
| » W: Danny Cox (2-3) L: Rick Rhoden (10-12) S: Bruce Sutter (17) | Third | 1 out |
| Friday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Phillies (72-67), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-36) | 71-69 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (6-4) L: Jim Bibby (4-12) | Fourth | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Jeff Stone (Phillies) |
| Saturday, September 10 |
| » Defeated Phillies (72-68), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-36) | 72-69 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (7-4) L: Al Holland (8-4) | Third | 1 out |
| Sunday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (73-68), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-37) | 72-70 | |
| » W: Ron Reed (7-1) L: Cecilio Guante (2-4) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Monday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (72-70), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-37) | 73-70 | |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (9-5) L: Danny Cox (2-4) S: Manny Sarmiento (4) | Third | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (72-71), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-37) | 74-70 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (11-12) L: Joaquin Andujar (6-14) | Third | 1 out |
| Wednesday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Cubs (64-81), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-37) | 75-70 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (14-8) L: Steve Trout (9-14) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, September 15 |
| » Defeated Cubs (64-82), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-37) | 76-70 | Won 4 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (14-6) L: Chuck Rainey (14-11) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Diaz (Cubs) |
| Friday, September 16 |
| » Defeated Expos (75-71), 9-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-37) | 77-70 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (7-2) L: Charlie Lea (15-9) | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 17 |
| » Defeated Expos (75-72), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (40-37) | 78-70 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (5-12) L: Tom Dixon (0-1) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 18 |
| » Lost to Expos (76-72), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (40-38) | 78-71 | |
| » W: Scott Sanderson (6-6) L: Rick Rhoden (11-13) S: Bob James (5) | Second | 1 out |