| Saturday, January 28 |
| Former Pirate Ray Harrell dies in Alexandria, LA at the age of 72. |
| Monday, April 2 |
| » Major-league debuts: Ross Jones (Mets) |
| Tuesday, April 3 |
| » Lost to Padres (1-0), 5-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-1) | 0-1 | |
| » W: Eric Show (1-0) L: Rick Rhoden (0-1) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, April 5 |
| » Lost to Padres (2-0), 8-6 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-2) | 0-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Luis DeLeon (1-0) L: Rod Scurry (0-1) S: Rich Gossage (1) | Third | 2 out |
| Friday, April 6 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (1-2), 3-1 | Dodger Stadium (1-0) | 1-2 | |
| » W: John Tudor (1-0) L: Bob Welch (0-1) S: Cecilio Guante (1) | Second | 1 out |
| Former Pirate Glenn Wright dies in Olathe, KS at the age of 84. |
| Saturday, April 7 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (1-3), 3-0 | Dodger Stadium (2-0) | 2-2 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (1-0) L: Alejandro Pena (0-1) S: Don Robinson (1) | Second | 1 out |
| Sunday, April 8 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (1-4), 5-2 | Dodger Stadium (3-0) | 3-2 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (1-1) L: Fernando Valenzuela (0-2) S: Cecilio Guante (2) | Second | 1 out |
| Tuesday, April 10 |
| » Lost to Giants (2-4), 4-3 | Candlestick Park (0-1) | 3-3 | |
| » W: Mike Krukow (1-1) L: Larry McWilliams (0-1) S: Greg Minton (1) | Third | 2 out |
| Wednesday, April 11 |
| » Lost to Giants (3-4), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (0-2) | 3-4 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Gary Lavelle (1-0) L: Cecilio Guante (0-1) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Friday, April 13 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (4-4), 4-1 | Busch Stadium II (0-1) | 3-5 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dave LaPoint (1-1) L: John Candelaria (1-1) S: Bruce Sutter (2) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Saturday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (5-4), 7-5 | Busch Stadium II (0-2) | 3-6 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Danny Cox (2-0) L: Rick Rhoden (1-2) S: Bruce Sutter (3) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Sunday, April 15 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (6-4), 1-0 | Busch Stadium II (0-3) | 3-7 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Dave Rucker (1-0) L: Larry McWilliams (0-2) S: Bruce Sutter (4) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, April 17 |
| » Lost to Phillies (7-3), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (0-1) | 3-8 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Charles Hudson (2-0) L: John Tudor (1-1) S: Al Holland (3) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, April 18 |
| » Defeated Phillies (7-4), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-1) | 4-8 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (2-1) L: Jerry Koosman (1-2) S: Don Robinson (2) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Friday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Cubs (8-5), 5-4 | Wrigley Field (0-1) | 4-9 | |
| » W: Tim Stoddard (1-0) L: Kent Tekulve (0-1) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Saturday, April 21 |
| » Defeated Cubs (8-6), 8-5 | Wrigley Field (1-1) | 5-9 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (1-0) L: Dickie Noles (0-1) S: Don Robinson (3) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Tuesday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Phillies (9-6), 3-2 | Veteran's Stadium (1-0) | 6-9 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (3-1) L: Jerry Koosman (1-3) S: Kent Tekulve (1) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, April 25 |
| » Lost to Phillies (10-6), 8-7 | Veteran's Stadium (1-1) | 6-10 | |
| » W: Tug McGraw (1-0) L: Lee Tunnell (0-1) S: Al Holland (4) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Friday, April 27 |
| » Defeated Cubs (10-8), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-1) | 7-10 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (2-2) L: Chuck Rainey (1-3) S: Kent Tekulve (2) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Saturday, April 28 |
| » Lost to Cubs (11-8), 7-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-2) | 7-11 | |
| » W: Scott Sanderson (3-1) L: Larry McWilliams (0-3) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Sunday, April 29 |
| » Lost to Cubs (12-8), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-3) | 7-12 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Trout (3-1) L: John Candelaria (3-2) S: Lee Smith (5) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Monday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (11-12), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-4) | 7-13 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bruce Sutter (1-1) L: Lee Tunnell (0-2) | Fifth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (12-12), 10-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-5) | 7-14 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Joaquin Andujar (4-2) L: Jose DeLeon (1-1) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, May 2 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (13-12), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-6) | 7-15 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Dave LaPoint (3-3) L: Rick Rhoden (2-3) S: Bruce Sutter (7) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Saturday, May 5 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (18-10), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-6) | 8-15 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (1-1) L: Orel Hershiser (2-1) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Sunday, May 6 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (19-10), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-7) | 8-16 | |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (1-2) L: Kent Tekulve (1-2) | Sixth | 6 out |
| » Defeated Dodgers (19-11), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-7) | 9-16 | |
| » W: John Tudor (2-1) L: Fernando Valenzuela (3-3) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Thursday, May 10 |
| » Defeated Giants (11-20), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-7) | 10-16 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (3-3) L: Jeff Robinson (3-4) S: Kent Tekulve (3) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Friday, May 11 |
| » Lost to Braves (16-15), 4-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-1) | 10-17 | |
| » W: Terry Forster (1-0) L: Kent Tekulve (1-3) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Saturday, May 12 |
| » Lost to Braves (17-15), 4-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-2) | 10-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Pascual Perez (2-0) L: Cecilio Guante (0-2) S: Jeff Dedmon (2) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Sunday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Braves (18-15), 9-8 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-3) | 10-19 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Jeff Dedmon (2-0) L: John Candelaria (3-3) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Monday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Astros (14-20), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-7) | 11-19 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (2-1) L: Bob Knepper (3-5) S: Kent Tekulve (4) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Former Pirate Elmer Riddle dies in Columbus, GA at the age of 70. |
| Tuesday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Astros (14-21), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-7) | 12-19 | Won 2 |
| » W: Cecilio Guante (1-2) L: Frank DiPino (1-3) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Astros (15-21), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-8) | 12-20 | |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (4-2) L: John Candelaria (3-4) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Friday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Braves (19-18), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-8) | 13-20 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (1-3) L: Pete Falcone (2-4) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Benny Distefano (Pirates) |
| Saturday, May 19 |
| » Lost to Braves (20-18), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-9) | 13-21 | |
| » W: Rick Mahler (1-1) L: John Tudor (2-2) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, May 20 |
| » Lost to Braves (21-18), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-10) | 13-22 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Bedrosian (3-1) L: Kent Tekulve (1-4) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, May 22 |
| » Lost to Reds (21-20), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-11) | 13-23 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mario Soto (7-1) L: Rod Scurry (0-2) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, May 23 |
| » Defeated Reds (21-21), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-11) | 14-23 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (4-4) L: Jeff Russell (2-5) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Thursday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Reds (21-22), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-11) | 15-23 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (2-3) L: Joe Price (2-3) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Friday, May 25 |
| » Defeated Astros (18-25), 6-2 | Astrodome (1-0) | 16-23 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Tudor (3-2) L: Mike Scott (2-3) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Astros (19-25), 2-0 | Astrodome (1-1) | 16-24 | |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (6-2) L: Jose DeLeon (2-2) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Sunday, May 27 |
| » Defeated Astros (19-26), 2-1 | Astrodome (2-1) | 17-24 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (4-3) L: Joe Niekro (2-7) S: Rod Scurry (1) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Pankovits (Astros) |
| Monday, May 28 |
| » Defeated Astros (19-27), 7-0 | Astrodome (3-1) | 18-24 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (5-4) L: Vern Ruhle (0-2) S: Don Robinson (4) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, May 29 |
| » Lost to Reds (25-22), 5-4 | Riverfront Stadium (0-1) | 18-25 | |
| » W: Ted Power (2-0) L: Kent Tekulve (1-5) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Wednesday, May 30 |
| » Lost to Reds (26-22), 6-4 | Riverfront Stadium (0-2) | 18-26 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Owchinko (2-1) L: Don Robinson (0-1) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Thursday, May 31 |
| » Defeated Expos (24-24), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-11) | 19-26 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (3-2) L: Bill Gullickson (1-5) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 1 |
| » Lost to Expos (25-24), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-12) | 19-27 | |
| » W: Charlie Lea (9-2) L: Rick Rhoden (4-4) S: Jeff Reardon (8) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Saturday, June 2 |
| » Defeated Expos (25-25), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-12) | 20-27 | |
| » W: Lee Tunnell (1-2) L: Steve Rogers (2-4) S: Kent Tekulve (5) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 3 |
| » Defeated Expos (25-26), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-12) | 21-27 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Tudor (4-2) L: David Palmer (2-1) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Monday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Mets (24-23), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-13) | 21-28 | |
| » W: Ron Darling (4-3) L: Don Robinson (0-2) S: Jesse Orosco (9) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, June 5 |
| » Lost to Mets (25-23), 3-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-14) | 21-29 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (4-5) L: Jose DeLeon (3-3) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 6 |
| » Lost to Mets (26-23), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-15) | 21-30 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Tom Gorman (1-0) L: Rod Scurry (0-3) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Friday, June 8 |
| » Lost to Phillies (29-24), 5-4 | Veteran's Stadium (1-2) | 21-31 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (5-6) L: John Candelaria (5-5) S: Al Holland (11) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| » Lost to Phillies (30-24), 2-1 | Veteran's Stadium (1-3) | 21-32 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Kevin Gross (2-1) L: Larry McWilliams (2-4) S: Al Holland (12) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, June 9 |
| » Lost to Phillies (31-24), 6-5 | Veteran's Stadium (1-4) | 21-33 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (3-3) L: John Tudor (4-3) S: Al Holland (13) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Sunday, June 10 |
| » Defeated Phillies (31-25), 12-6 | Veteran's Stadium (2-4) | 22-33 | |
| » W: Cecilio Guante (2-2) L: Jim Kern (0-1) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Monday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Mets (30-24), 3-1 | Shea Stadium (0-1) | 22-34 | |
| » W: Dwight Gooden (5-3) L: Rick Rhoden (4-5) S: Jesse Orosco (12) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Mets (30-25), 6-3 | Shea Stadium (1-1) | 23-34 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (3-4) L: Tim Leary (2-3) S: Rod Scurry (2) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, June 13 |
| » Lost to Mets (31-25), 2-0 | Shea Stadium (1-2) | 23-35 | |
| » W: Ed Lynch (7-1) L: Lee Tunnell (1-3) S: Doug Sisk (7) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Thursday, June 14 |
| » Defeated Expos (29-33), 3-2 | Stade Olympique (1-0) | 24-35 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (2-5) L: Gary Lucas (0-2) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Friday, June 15 |
| » Lost to Expos (30-33), 1-0 | Stade Olympique (1-1) | 24-36 | |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (2-2) L: Jose DeLeon (3-4) S: Bob James (1) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Saturday, June 16 |
| » Lost to Expos (31-33), 3-2 | Stade Olympique (1-2) | 24-37 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jeff Reardon (3-1) L: Kent Tekulve (2-6) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Sunday, June 17 |
| » Lost to Expos (32-33), 5-3 | Stade Olympique (1-3) | 24-38 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Charlie Lea (11-3) L: Larry McWilliams (3-5) S: Jeff Reardon (10) | Sixth | 11½ out |
| Tuesday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Cubs (35-29), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-16) | 24-39 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Rick Sutcliffe (5-5) L: John Tudor (4-4) S: Lee Smith (13) | Sixth | 12½ out |
| Wednesday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Cubs (35-30), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-16) | 25-39 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (4-4) L: Chuck Rainey (5-6) | Sixth | 11½ out |
| Thursday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Cubs (35-31), 8-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-16) | 26-39 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (5-5) L: Dennis Eckersley (5-8) S: Kent Tekulve (6) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Friday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Phillies (37-30), 10-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-16) | 27-39 | Won 3 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (4-5) L: Marty Bystrom (3-4) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| » Defeated Phillies (37-31), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-16) | 28-39 | Won 4 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (1-3) L: Bill Campbell (3-3) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: John Russell (Phillies) |
| Saturday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Phillies (38-31), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-17) | 28-40 | |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (8-6) L: John Candelaria (5-6) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, June 24 |
| » Lost to Phillies (39-31), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-18) | 28-41 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (5-4) L: John Tudor (4-5) S: Al Holland (16) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Monday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Cubs (38-32), 3-0 | Wrigley Field (2-1) | 29-41 | |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (5-4) L: Chuck Rainey (5-7) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Cubs (38-33), 9-0 | Wrigley Field (3-1) | 30-41 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (6-5) L: Dennis Eckersley (5-9) | Sixth | 10 out |
| » Lost to Cubs (39-33), 9-8 | Wrigley Field (3-2) | 30-42 | |
| » W: Rich Bordi (3-1) L: Larry McWilliams (4-6) S: Lee Smith (15) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Wednesday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Cubs (40-33), 8-7 | Wrigley Field (3-3) | 30-43 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tim Stoddard (5-1) L: Rod Scurry (1-4) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Thursday, June 28 |
| » Lost to Giants (28-45), 4-3 | Candlestick Park (0-3) | 30-44 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Gary Lavelle (3-3) L: Don Robinson (0-3) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Friday, June 29 |
| » Lost to Giants (29-45), 3-0 | Candlestick Park (0-4) | 30-45 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (4-9) L: John Tudor (4-6) | Sixth | 12 out |
| Saturday, June 30 |
| » Lost to Giants (30-45), 7-5 | Candlestick Park (0-5) | 30-46 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Frank Williams (6-1) L: Cecilio Guante (2-3) S: Gary Lavelle (8) | Fifth | 12 out |
| Sunday, July 1 |
| » Lost to Giants (31-45), 7-4 | Candlestick Park (0-6) | 30-47 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Atlee Hammaker (1-0) L: Rick Rhoden (6-6) S: Greg Minton (7) | Sixth | 13 out |
| Monday, July 2 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (42-40), 5-4 | Dodger Stadium (3-1) | 30-48 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Alejandro Pena (9-4) L: Larry McWilliams (4-7) S: Tom Niedenfuer (10) | Fifth | 13 out |
| Tuesday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (42-41), 6-0 | Dodger Stadium (4-1) | 31-48 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (6-6) L: Ken Howell (0-2) | Sixth | 13 out |
| Wednesday, July 4 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (43-41), 9-0 | Dodger Stadium (4-2) | 31-49 | |
| » W: Orel Hershiser (4-3) L: John Tudor (4-7) | Sixth | 14 out |
| Thursday, July 5 |
| » Lost to Padres (47-33), 2-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-3) | 31-50 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rich Gossage (4-2) L: Rod Scurry (1-5) | Sixth | 15 out |
| Friday, July 6 |
| » Lost to Padres (48-33), 7-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-4) | 31-51 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ed Whitson (10-4) L: Rick Rhoden (6-7) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Saturday, July 7 |
| » Lost to Padres (49-33), 1-0 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-5) | 31-52 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dave Dravecky (6-4) L: Larry McWilliams (4-8) S: Rich Gossage (15) | Sixth | 16½ out |
| Sunday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Padres (49-34), 4-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-5) | 32-52 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (7-6) L: Mark Thurmond (5-5) S: Kent Tekulve (7) | Sixth | 16½ out |
| Thursday, July 12 |
| » Defeated Giants (33-51), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-18) | 33-52 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jose DeLeon (6-4) L: Bill Laskey (4-9) S: Kent Tekulve (8) | Sixth | 16½ out |
| Friday, July 13 |
| » Defeated Giants (33-52), 8-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-18) | 34-52 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (8-6) L: Mike Krukow (5-8) | Sixth | 16 out |
| » Defeated Giants (33-53), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-18) | 35-52 | Won 4 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (2-5) L: Jeff Cornell (1-3) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Saturday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Giants (33-54), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (21-18) | 36-52 | Won 5 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (7-7) L: Mark Davis (3-9) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Sunday, July 15 |
| » Defeated Giants (33-55), 9-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-18) | 37-52 | Won 6 |
| » W: John Tudor (5-7) L: Jeff Robinson (4-11) | Sixth | 15 out |
| Monday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (46-47), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-18) | 38-52 | Won 7 |
| » W: Bob Walk (1-0) L: Rick Honeycutt (7-4) | Sixth | 15 out |
| Tuesday, July 17 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (47-47), 5-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-19) | 38-53 | |
| » W: Alejandro Pena (11-4) L: Jose DeLeon (6-5) | Sixth | 15 out |
| Wednesday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (47-48), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-19) | 39-53 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (5-8) L: Jerry Reuss (2-4) | Sixth | 15 out |
| Thursday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Padres (53-38), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-19) | 40-53 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (9-6) L: Tim Lollar (7-8) | Sixth | 14 out |
| Friday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Padres (53-39), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-19) | 41-53 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (8-7) L: Dave Dravecky (7-5) S: Don Robinson (5) | Sixth | 14½ out |
| » Lost to Padres (54-39), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-20) | 41-54 | |
| » W: Andy Hawkins (5-3) L: John Tudor (5-8) S: Rich Gossage (17) | Sixth | 14½ out |
| Saturday, July 21 |
| » Lost to Padres (55-39), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-21) | 41-55 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mark Thurmond (7-5) L: Bob Walk (1-1) S: Rich Gossage (18) | Sixth | 15½ out |
| Sunday, July 22 |
| » Lost to Padres (56-39), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-22) | 41-56 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ed Whitson (11-5) L: Jose DeLeon (6-6) | Sixth | 16 out |
| » Defeated Padres (56-40), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-22) | 42-56 | |
| » W: Jim Winn (1-0) L: Rich Gossage (4-3) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Tuesday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Expos (47-49), 12-5 | Stade Olympique (2-3) | 43-56 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (3-5) L: Jeff Reardon (3-3) | Sixth | 16½ out |
| Wednesday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Expos (47-50), 3-1 | Stade Olympique (3-3) | 44-56 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (9-7) L: Charlie Lea (14-5) S: Don Robinson (6) | Sixth | 16½ out |
| Thursday, July 26 |
| » Lost to Expos (48-50), 5-4 | Stade Olympique (3-4) | 44-57 | |
| » W: Bob James (3-4) L: Don Robinson (0-4) S: Jeff Reardon (14) | Sixth | 17 out |
| Friday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (48-53), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-23) | 44-58 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Joaquin Andujar (14-9) L: Kent Tekulve (2-7) S: Bruce Sutter (24) | Sixth | 18 out |
| Saturday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (49-53), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-24) | 44-59 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Danny Cox (5-8) L: Jose DeLeon (6-7) S: Bruce Sutter (25) | Sixth | 18 out |
| Sunday, July 29 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (50-53), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-25) | 44-60 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Neil Allen (6-5) L: John Candelaria (9-7) S: Bruce Sutter (26) | Sixth | 17½ out |
| Monday, July 30 |
| » Lost to Expos (51-51), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-26) | 44-61 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Bob James (4-4) L: Rick Rhoden (9-8) | Sixth | 17½ out |
| Tuesday, July 31 |
| » Defeated Expos (51-52), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-26) | 45-61 | |
| » W: John Tudor (6-8) L: Steve Rogers (3-11) S: Don Robinson (7) | Sixth | 16½ out |
| Wednesday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Expos (51-53), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-26) | 46-61 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (6-8) L: Charlie Lea (14-6) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Thursday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Mets (59-44), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-26) | 47-61 | Won 3 |
| » W: Don Robinson (1-4) L: Ron Darling (10-4) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Friday, August 3 |
| » Lost to Mets (60-44), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-27) | 47-62 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (9-8) L: John Candelaria (9-8) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Saturday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Mets (61-44), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-28) | 47-63 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tom Gorman (3-0) L: Rod Scurry (3-6) S: Jesse Orosco (22) | Sixth | 17 out |
| Sunday, August 5 |
| » Lost to Mets (62-44), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-29) | 47-64 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Wes Gardner (1-0) L: Don Robinson (1-5) | Sixth | 18 out |
| Monday, August 6 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (55-56), 3-2 | Busch Stadium II (1-3) | 48-64 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (7-8) L: Joaquin Andujar (15-10) S: Kent Tekulve (9) | Sixth | 18 out |
| Tuesday, August 7 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (56-56), 2-1 | Busch Stadium II (1-4) | 48-65 | |
| » W: Danny Cox (6-9) L: Jose DeLeon (6-8) S: Bruce Sutter (30) | Sixth | 19½ out |
| Wednesday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (56-57), 6-4 | Busch Stadium II (2-4) | 49-65 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (10-8) L: Ricky Horton (6-2) S: Lee Tunnell (1) | Sixth | 19½ out |
| Thursday, August 9 |
| » Defeated Mets (62-49), 11-0 | Shea Stadium (2-2) | 50-65 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (10-8) L: Bruce Berenyi (7-12) | Sixth | 18½ out |
| Friday, August 10 |
| » Defeated Mets (62-50), 4-1 | Shea Stadium (3-2) | 51-65 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Tudor (7-8) L: Sid Fernandez (3-1) S: Kent Tekulve (10) | Sixth | 17½ out |
| Saturday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Mets (63-50), 3-1 | Shea Stadium (3-3) | 51-66 | |
| » W: Dwight Gooden (10-8) L: Larry McWilliams (7-9) S: Jesse Orosco (23) | Sixth | 18½ out |
| Sunday, August 12 |
| » Lost to Mets (64-50), 6-3 | Shea Stadium (3-4) | 51-67 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ron Darling (11-5) L: Jose DeLeon (6-9) S: Wes Gardner (1) | Sixth | 19½ out |
| Tuesday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Braves (61-58), 3-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-4) | 51-68 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Rick Camp (6-4) L: John Candelaria (10-9) S: Donnie Moore (15) | Sixth | 19 out |
| Former Pirate Spud Davis dies in Birmingham, AL at the age of 80. |
| Wednesday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Braves (62-58), 7-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-5) | 51-69 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Steve Bedrosian (9-6) L: Rick Rhoden (10-9) S: Gene Garber (5) | Sixth | 19 out |
| Thursday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Braves (62-59), 5-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-5) | 52-69 | |
| » W: John Tudor (8-8) L: Rick Mahler (8-8) | Fifth | 18½ out |
| Friday, August 17 |
| » Lost to Astros (61-62), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-30) | 52-70 | |
| » W: Bill Dawley (8-4) L: Kent Tekulve (2-8) | Fifth | 18½ out |
| Saturday, August 18 |
| » Lost to Astros (62-62), 5-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-31) | 52-71 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike LaCoss (7-3) L: Jose DeLeon (6-10) | Sixth | 19½ out |
| Sunday, August 19 |
| » Lost to Astros (63-62), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-32) | 52-72 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Joe Niekro (12-9) L: John Candelaria (10-10) S: Bill Dawley (3) | Sixth | 20½ out |
| Monday, August 20 |
| » Lost to Braves (64-61), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-33) | 52-73 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Gene Garber (2-2) L: Kent Tekulve (2-9) | Sixth | 21½ out |
| Tuesday, August 21 |
| » Defeated Braves (64-62), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (31-33) | 53-73 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (2-5) L: Jeff Dedmon (3-2) | Sixth | 21½ out |
| Wednesday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Braves (64-63), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-33) | 54-73 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (8-9) L: Mike Payne (0-1) | Sixth | 20½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Payne (Braves) |
| Friday, August 24 |
| » Lost to Reds (54-74), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-34) | 54-74 | |
| » W: Jeff Russell (6-14) L: Jose DeLeon (6-11) | Sixth | 21½ out |
| Saturday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Reds (54-75), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-34) | 55-74 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (11-10) L: Jay Tibbs (2-2) S: Larry McWilliams (1) | Sixth | 20½ out |
| Sunday, August 26 |
| » Defeated Reds (54-76), 7-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-34) | 56-74 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (11-9) L: Joe Price (6-10) | Sixth | 20½ out |
| Tuesday, August 28 |
| » Lost to Astros (68-65), 3-2 | Astrodome (3-2) | 56-75 | |
| » W: Dave Smith (3-2) L: John Tudor (8-9) | Sixth | 22 out |
| Wednesday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Astros (68-66), 4-2 | Astrodome (4-2) | 57-75 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (3-5) L: Frank DiPino (4-7) | Sixth | 22 out |
| Thursday, August 30 |
| » Lost to Reds (55-79), 4-1 | Riverfront Stadium (0-3) | 57-76 | |
| » W: Jay Tibbs (3-2) L: Jose DeLeon (6-12) | Sixth | 23 out |
| Friday, August 31 |
| » Defeated Reds (55-80), 6-2 | Riverfront Stadium (1-3) | 58-76 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (12-10) L: Joe Price (6-11) S: Don Robinson (8) | Sixth | 22 out |
| Saturday, September 1 |
| » Lost to Reds (56-80), 7-5 | Riverfront Stadium (1-4) | 58-77 | |
| » W: Ted Power (8-5) L: Don Robinson (3-6) | Sixth | 23 out |
| Sunday, September 2 |
| » Lost to Reds (57-80), 7-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-5) | 58-78 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ron Robinson (1-1) L: John Tudor (8-10) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Monday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Expos (67-69), 3-0 | Stade Olympique (4-4) | 59-78 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (9-9) L: Steve Rogers (5-13) S: Kent Tekulve (11) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Tuesday, September 4 |
| » Defeated Expos (67-70), 5-3 | Stade Olympique (5-4) | 60-78 | Won 2 |
| » W: Rod Scurry (4-6) L: Bob James (6-5) S: Kent Tekulve (12) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Wednesday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Mets (78-61), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-35) | 60-79 | |
| » W: Bruce Berenyi (11-13) L: Lee Tunnell (1-4) S: Doug Sisk (15) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Thursday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Mets (78-62), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-35) | 61-79 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (12-9) L: Calvin Schiraldi (0-1) S: Rod Scurry (3) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Friday, September 7 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (72-67), 4-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-35) | 62-79 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Tudor (9-10) L: Ricky Horton (9-4) S: Rod Scurry (4) | Sixth | 23 out |
| Former Pirate Joe Cronin dies in Osterville, MA at the age of 78. |
| Saturday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (73-67), 9-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-36) | 62-80 | |
| » W: Joaquin Andujar (19-11) L: Larry McWilliams (9-10) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Sunday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (74-67), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-37) | 62-81 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Danny Cox (8-10) L: Jose DeLeon (6-13) S: Bruce Sutter (40) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Monday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Expos (71-72), 8-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-38) | 62-82 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Rick Grapenthin (1-2) L: Lee Tunnell (1-5) S: Joe Hesketh (1) | Sixth | 25 out |
| Tuesday, September 11 |
| » Defeated Expos (71-73), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-38) | 63-82 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (13-9) L: Greg Bargar (0-1) | Sixth | 24 out |
| Wednesday, September 12 |
| » Lost to Mets (81-65), 2-0 | Shea Stadium (3-5) | 63-83 | |
| » W: Dwight Gooden (16-8) L: John Tudor (9-11) | Sixth | 25 out |
| Thursday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Mets (81-66), 14-4 | Shea Stadium (4-5) | 64-83 | |
| » W: Larry McWilliams (10-10) L: Walt Terrell (10-12) | Sixth | 24½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: John Christensen (Mets) |
| Friday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (76-71), 8-7 | Busch Stadium II (3-4) | 65-83 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (4-6) L: Bruce Sutter (5-6) S: Kent Tekulve (13) | Sixth | 24½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Bielecki (Pirates) |
| Saturday, September 15 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (77-71), 8-3 | Busch Stadium II (3-5) | 65-84 | |
| » W: Dave LaPoint (11-10) L: John Candelaria (12-11) | Sixth | |
