| Monday, April 7 |
| » Defeated Phillies (0-1), 7-4 | Riverfront Stadium (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: Mario Soto (1-0) L: Steve Carlton (0-1) S: Ron Robinson (1) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Tracy Jones (Reds) |
| Wednesday, April 9 |
| » Lost to Phillies (1-1), 5-3 | Riverfront Stadium (1-1) | 1-1 | |
| » W: Steve Bedrosian (1-0) L: Ted Power (0-1) | Fourth | 1 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Kal Daniels and Scott Terry (Reds) |
| Friday, April 11 |
| » Lost to Padres (3-2), 4-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-1) | 1-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tim Stoddard (1-0) L: Ted Power (0-2) | Fifth | 1½ out |
| Saturday, April 12 |
| » Defeated Padres (3-3), 3-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-1) | 2-2 | |
| » W: Ron Robinson (1-0) L: Tim Stoddard (1-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, April 13 |
| » Lost to Padres (4-3), 7-6 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-2) | 2-3 | |
| » W: Rich Gossage (1-0) L: Joe Price (0-1) | Fifth | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Kurt Stillwell (Reds) |
| Tuesday, April 15 |
| » Defeated Braves (2-4), 5-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-0) | 3-3 | |
| » W: Ron Robinson (2-0) L: Jeff Dedmon (0-1) S: John Franco (1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, April 16 |
| » Defeated Braves (2-5), 5-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-0) | 4-3 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Denny (1-0) L: Rick Mahler (1-2) S: John Franco (2) | Third | 1½ out |
| Friday, April 18 |
| » Lost to Astros (6-3), 6-4 | Riverfront Stadium (1-2) | 4-4 | |
| » W: Mike Scott (1-2) L: Mario Soto (1-1) S: Dave Smith (4) | Fourth | 1½ out |
| Saturday, April 19 |
| » Lost to Astros (7-3), 4-3 | Riverfront Stadium (1-3) | 4-5 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Knepper (3-0) L: Tom Browning (0-1) S: Dave Smith (5) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Sunday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Astros (8-3), 6-4 | Riverfront Stadium (1-4) | 4-6 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mike Madden (1-0) L: Bill Gullickson (0-1) S: Charlie Kerfeld (2) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, April 23 |
| » Lost to Padres (8-7), 7-4 | Riverfront Stadium (1-5) | 4-7 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Andy Hawkins (1-2) L: John Denny (1-1) S: Rich Gossage (2) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Thursday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Astros (10-5), 3-0 | Astrodome (1-0) | 5-7 | |
| » W: Mario Soto (2-1) L: Mike Madden (1-1) | Third | 3½ out |
| Friday, April 25 |
| » Lost to Astros (11-5), 3-1 | Astrodome (1-1) | 5-8 | |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (3-2) L: Tom Browning (0-2) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Saturday, April 26 |
| » Lost to Astros (12-5), 1-0 | Astrodome (1-2) | 5-9 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Scott (2-2) L: Bill Gullickson (0-2) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, April 27 |
| » Lost to Astros (13-5), 6-0 | Astrodome (1-3) | 5-10 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bob Knepper (4-0) L: John Denny (1-2) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, April 29 |
| » Lost to Expos (8-9), 7-4 | Riverfront Stadium (1-6) | 5-11 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Bryn Smith (2-2) L: Mario Soto (2-2) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Expos (9-9), 8-0 | Riverfront Stadium (1-7) | 5-12 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Jay Tibbs (3-0) L: Tom Browning (0-3) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Friday, May 2 |
| » Lost to Mets (14-4), 8-7 | Riverfront Stadium (1-8) | 5-13 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Sid Fernandez (3-0) L: Bill Gullickson (0-3) S: Jesse Orosco (4) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, May 3 |
| » Lost to Mets (15-4), 4-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-9) | 5-14 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Bob Ojeda (4-0) L: John Denny (1-3) S: Jesse Orosco (5) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Sunday, May 4 |
| » Lost to Mets (16-4), 7-2 | Riverfront Stadium (1-10) | 5-15 | Lost 8 |
| » W: Ron Darling (2-0) L: Mario Soto (2-3) S: Roger McDowell (2) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Monday, May 5 |
| » Lost to Braves (11-13), 4-3 | Riverfront Stadium (1-11) | 5-16 | Lost 9 |
| » W: Paul Assenmacher (1-0) L: Ted Power (0-3) S: Gene Garber (2) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, May 6 |
| » Defeated Braves (11-14), 2-0 | Riverfront Stadium (2-11) | 6-16 | |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (1-3) L: David Palmer (2-2) S: John Franco (3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Thursday, May 8 |
| » Lost to Braves (12-14), 10-5 | Riverfront Stadium (2-12) | 6-17 | |
| » W: Craig McMurtry (1-1) L: John Denny (1-4) S: Paul Assenmacher (1) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Friday, May 9 |
| » Lost to Mets (19-4), 2-1 | Shea Stadium (0-1) | 6-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Ojeda (5-0) L: Mario Soto (2-4) S: Roger McDowell (3) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Saturday, May 10 |
| » Lost to Mets (20-4), 5-1 | Shea Stadium (0-2) | 6-19 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ron Darling (3-0) L: Tom Browning (0-4) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Sunday, May 11 |
| » Defeated Mets (20-5), 3-2 | Shea Stadium (1-2) | 7-19 | |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (2-3) L: Dwight Gooden (5-1) S: John Franco (4) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Monday, May 12 |
| » Defeated Expos (17-11), 4-3 | Stade Olympique (1-0) | 8-19 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ted Power (1-3) L: Bert Roberge (0-1) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Tuesday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Expos (18-11), 4-2 | Stade Olympique (1-1) | 8-20 | |
| » W: Floyd Youmans (2-3) L: Mario Soto (2-5) S: Jeff Reardon (5) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, May 14 |
| » Lost to Phillies (13-16), 8-6 | Veteran's Stadium (0-1) | 8-21 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Don Carman (1-0) L: John Franco (0-1) S: Steve Bedrosian (5) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Thursday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Phillies (13-17), 6-5 | Veteran's Stadium (1-1) | 9-21 | |
| » W: Ron Robinson (3-0) L: Steve Bedrosian (2-2) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Friday, May 16 |
| » Defeated Pirates (12-17), 7-2 | Riverfront Stadium (3-12) | 10-21 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Denny (2-4) L: Rick Rhoden (2-3) S: John Franco (5) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Saturday, May 17 |
| » Lost to Pirates (13-17), 4-0 | Riverfront Stadium (3-13) | 10-22 | |
| » W: Rick Reuschel (3-3) L: Mario Soto (2-6) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Sunday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Pirates (13-18), 7-3 | Riverfront Stadium (4-13) | 11-22 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (1-4) L: Mike Bielecki (3-2) S: Ron Robinson (2) | Fifth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, May 20 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (13-21), 5-3 | Busch Stadium II (1-0) | 12-22 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (3-3) L: Greg Bargar (0-1) S: John Franco (6) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, May 21 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (14-21), 8-3 | Busch Stadium II (1-1) | 12-23 | |
| » W: Bob Forsch (3-2) L: John Denny (2-5) S: Ken Dayley (2) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Thursday, May 22 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (14-22), 6-4 | Busch Stadium II (2-1) | 13-23 | |
| » W: Mario Soto (3-6) L: Danny Cox (0-4) S: John Franco (7) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Friday, May 23 |
| » Defeated Pirates (15-20), 12-9 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-0) | 14-23 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ted Power (2-3) L: Jose DeLeon (1-1) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Saturday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Pirates (15-21), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-0) | 15-23 | Won 3 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (4-3) L: Mike Bielecki (3-3) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Sunday, May 25 |
| » Defeated Pirates (15-22), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-0) | 16-23 | Won 4 |
| » W: John Denny (3-5) L: Bob Kipper (0-4) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Monday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Cubs (17-24), 9-6 | Wrigley Field (0-1) | 16-24 | |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (2-2) L: Scott Terry (0-1) S: Lee Smith (7) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, May 27 |
| » Defeated Cubs (17-25), 5-4 | Wrigley Field (1-1) | 17-24 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (2-4) L: Steve Trout (2-3) S: Ron Robinson (3) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Wednesday, May 28 |
| » Lost to Cubs (18-25), 5-0 | Wrigley Field (1-2) | 17-25 | |
| » W: Rick Sutcliffe (3-6) L: Bill Gullickson (4-4) | Fourth | 8 out |
| Former Red Taylor Douthit dies in Fremont, CA at the age of 86. |
| Friday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (16-27), 6-4 | Riverfront Stadium (5-13) | 18-25 | |
| » W: Joe Price (1-1) L: Ray Burris (2-1) S: John Franco (8) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Saturday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (17-27), 11-2 | Riverfront Stadium (5-14) | 18-26 | |
| » W: Bob Forsch (4-3) L: Tom Browning (2-5) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Sunday, June 1 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (18-27), 2-1 | Riverfront Stadium (5-15) | 18-27 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Danny Cox (1-4) L: Chris Welsh (0-1) S: Todd Worrell (7) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Monday, June 2 |
| » Lost to Cubs (21-26), 8-6 | Riverfront Stadium (5-16) | 18-28 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Rick Sutcliffe (4-6) L: Bill Gullickson (4-5) S: Lee Smith (8) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, June 3 |
| » Defeated Cubs (21-27), 5-3 | Riverfront Stadium (6-16) | 19-28 | |
| » W: Ted Power (3-3) L: Jay Baller (1-3) S: John Franco (9) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, June 4 |
| » Defeated Cubs (21-28), 2-0 | Riverfront Stadium (7-16) | 20-28 | Won 2 |
| » W: Tom Browning (3-5) L: Scott Sanderson (3-3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Friday, June 6 |
| » Defeated Giants (28-24), 5-3 | Candlestick Park (1-0) | 21-28 | Won 3 |
| » W: Chris Welsh (1-1) L: Scott Garrelts (5-6) S: Ron Robinson (4) | Sixth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, June 7 |
| » Lost to Giants (29-24), 6-2 | Candlestick Park (1-1) | 21-29 | |
| » W: Mike Krukow (8-3) L: Bill Gullickson (4-6) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Giants (29-25), 7-3 | Candlestick Park (2-1) | 22-29 | |
| » W: John Denny (4-5) L: Mike LaCoss (5-2) | Sixth | 8 out |
| » Lost to Giants (30-25), 3-1 | Candlestick Park (2-2) | 22-30 | |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (4-1) L: Ted Power (3-4) | Sixth | 8 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Terry Mulholland (Giants) |
| Monday, June 9 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (27-31), 6-5 | Dodger Stadium (0-1) | 22-31 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (4-2) L: Tom Browning (3-6) S: Ken Howell (4) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, June 10 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (28-31), 1-0 | Dodger Stadium (0-2) | 22-32 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (5-2) L: John Franco (0-2) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Wednesday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (29-31), 5-4 | Dodger Stadium (0-3) | 22-33 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Ed Vande Berg (1-2) L: John Franco (0-3) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Friday, June 13 |
| » Lost to Braves (30-28), 3-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-1) | 22-34 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Rick Mahler (7-5) L: John Denny (4-6) S: Gene Garber (5) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, June 14 |
| » Defeated Braves (30-29), 2-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (3-1) | 23-34 | |
| » W: Ron Robinson (4-0) L: Paul Assenmacher (2-2) S: John Franco (10) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, June 15 |
| » Defeated Braves (30-30), 9-7 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (4-1) | 24-34 | Won 2 |
| » W: Tom Browning (4-6) L: Zane Smith (5-7) S: Ted Power (1) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Monday, June 16 |
| » Lost to Braves (31-30), 4-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (4-2) | 24-35 | |
| » W: Gene Garber (3-1) L: John Franco (0-4) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Astros (35-27), 5-4 | Riverfront Stadium (8-16) | 25-35 | |
| » W: Chris Welsh (2-1) L: Manny Hernandez (1-2) S: John Franco (11) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, June 18 |
| » Defeated Astros (35-28), 3-2 | Riverfront Stadium (9-16) | 26-35 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ron Robinson (5-0) L: Dave Smith (1-3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Thursday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Astros (36-28), 6-2 | Riverfront Stadium (9-17) | 26-36 | |
| » W: Jim Deshaies (4-2) L: Mario Soto (3-7) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Friday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Braves (32-33), 6-4 | Riverfront Stadium (10-17) | 27-36 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (5-6) L: Jeff Dedmon (2-3) S: John Franco (12) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| » Defeated Braves (32-34), 8-5 | Riverfront Stadium (11-17) | 28-36 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (5-6) L: Joe Johnson (6-6) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, June 21 |
| » Lost to Braves (33-34), 7-6 | Riverfront Stadium (11-18) | 28-37 | |
| » W: Rick Mahler (8-5) L: Chris Welsh (2-2) S: Gene Garber (6) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Braves (33-35), 5-2 | Riverfront Stadium (12-18) | 29-37 | |
| » W: John Denny (5-6) L: Craig McMurtry (1-4) S: Ron Robinson (5) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Monday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Astros (37-32), 7-6 | Astrodome (1-4) | 29-38 | |
| » W: Larry Andersen (1-0) L: Ted Power (3-5) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, June 24 |
| » Lost to Astros (38-32), 8-4 | Astrodome (1-5) | 29-39 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (4-6) L: Tom Browning (5-7) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Astros (38-33), 4-3 | Astrodome (2-5) | 30-39 | |
| » W: John Franco (1-4) L: Aurelio Lopez (1-1) | Sixth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Giants (40-33), 7-6 | Riverfront Stadium (12-19) | 30-40 | |
| » W: Greg Minton (3-4) L: Scott Terry (0-2) | Sixth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, June 28 |
| » Lost to Giants (41-33), 5-1 | Riverfront Stadium (12-20) | 30-41 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Frank Williams (1-0) L: John Denny (5-7) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Sunday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Giants (41-34), 4-3 | Riverfront Stadium (13-20) | 31-41 | |
| » W: Ron Robinson (6-0) L: Mike LaCoss (7-3) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Monday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (34-42), 6-5 | Riverfront Stadium (14-20) | 32-41 | Won 2 |
| » W: Carl Willis (1-0) L: Ed Vande Berg (1-3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, July 2 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (34-43), 4-3 | Riverfront Stadium (15-20) | 33-41 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Franco (2-4) L: Ed Vande Berg (1-4) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Former Red Peanuts Lowrey dies in Inglewood, CA at the age of 69. |
| Thursday, July 3 |
| » Lost to Phillies (37-38), 7-3 | Veteran's Stadium (1-2) | 33-42 | |
| » W: Bruce Ruffin (1-0) L: John Denny (5-8) S: Tom Hume (3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Friday, July 4 |
| » Defeated Phillies (37-39), 4-1 | Veteran's Stadium (2-2) | 34-42 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (6-7) L: Kevin Gross (6-6) S: Ron Robinson (6) | Fourth | 8 out |
| Saturday, July 5 |
| » Defeated Phillies (37-40), 7-2 | Veteran's Stadium (3-2) | 35-42 | Won 2 |
| » W: Chris Welsh (3-2) L: Charles Hudson (4-8) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Sunday, July 6 |
| » Lost to Phillies (38-40), 12-5 | Veteran's Stadium (3-3) | 35-43 | |
| » W: Tom Hume (2-0) L: Joe Price (1-2) S: Kent Tekulve (2) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Monday, July 7 |
| » Defeated Mets (55-23), 7-6 | Shea Stadium (2-2) | 36-43 | |
| » W: Ron Robinson (7-0) L: Randy Niemann (1-3) S: John Franco (13) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Mets (55-24), 5-4 | Shea Stadium (3-2) | 37-43 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Franco (3-4) L: Roger McDowell (7-2) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, July 9 |
| » Defeated Mets (55-25), 11-1 | Shea Stadium (4-2) | 38-43 | Won 3 |
| » W: Tom Browning (7-7) L: Dwight Gooden (10-4) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Former Red Red Lucas dies in Nashville, TN at the age of 85. |
| Thursday, July 10 |
| » Lost to Expos (46-36), 8-6 | Stade Olympique (1-2) | 38-44 | |
| » W: Bryn Smith (7-5) L: Chris Welsh (3-3) S: Jeff Reardon (20) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Expos (46-37), 3-2 | Stade Olympique (2-2) | 39-44 | |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (6-6) L: Andy McGaffigan (5-4) S: John Franco (14) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Saturday, July 12 |
| » Defeated Expos (46-38), 2-0 | Stade Olympique (3-2) | 40-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Denny (6-8) L: Dennis Martinez (0-2) S: Ron Robinson (7) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, July 13 |
| » Game at Riverfront Stadium interrupted in the 6th inning with the score of Reds 3, Expos 2. Completed on July 24. |
| Thursday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Phillies (42-44), 7-6 | Riverfront Stadium (16-20) | 41-44 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ted Power (4-5) L: Tom Gorman (0-1) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Friday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Phillies (42-45), 6-5 | Riverfront Stadium (17-20) | 42-44 | Won 4 |
| » W: Tom Browning (8-7) L: Bruce Ruffin (2-1) S: John Franco (15) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Saturday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Phillies (42-46), 5-2 | Riverfront Stadium (18-20) | 43-44 | Won 5 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (7-6) L: Shane Rawley (11-6) S: Ron Robinson (8) | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, July 20 |
| » Lost to Phillies (43-46), 9-3 | Riverfront Stadium (18-21) | 43-45 | |
| » W: Charles Hudson (5-9) L: John Denny (6-9) | Third | 5 out |
| Monday, July 21 |
| » Lost to Mets (61-28), 4-2 | Riverfront Stadium (18-22) | 43-46 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rick Aguilera (3-3) L: Mario Soto (3-8) S: Jesse Orosco (13) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Tuesday, July 22 |
| » Lost to Mets (62-28), 6-3 | Riverfront Stadium (18-23) | 43-47 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Roger McDowell (8-4) L: Carl Willis (1-1) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Wednesday, July 23 |
| » Lost to Mets (63-28), 3-2 | Riverfront Stadium (18-24) | 43-48 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Ron Darling (10-3) L: Ron Robinson (7-1) S: Roger McDowell (9) | Fourth | 8 out |
| Thursday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Expos (48-43), 10-2 | Stade Olympique (4-2) | 44-48 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (9-7) L: Tim Burke (7-4) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| » Lost to Expos (49-43), 6-5 | Riverfront Stadium (18-25) | 44-49 | |
| » W: Bob Sebra (1-0) L: Carl Willis (1-2) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Friday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Expos (49-44), 9-2 | Riverfront Stadium (19-25) | 45-49 | |
| » W: John Denny (7-9) L: Dennis Martinez (0-3) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Expos (49-45), 7-6 | Riverfront Stadium (20-25) | 46-49 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ron Robinson (8-1) L: Bob Sebra (1-1) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Sunday, July 27 |
| » Defeated Expos (49-46), 9-7 | Riverfront Stadium (21-25) | 47-49 | Won 3 |
| » W: Rob Murphy (1-0) L: Jeff Reardon (6-6) S: John Franco (16) | Third | 6½ out |
| Former Red Bud Hafey dies in Sacramento, CA at the age of 74. |
| Monday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Padres (48-51), 5-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-3) | 47-50 | |
| » W: Andy Hawkins (7-7) L: Tom Browning (9-8) S: Rich Gossage (17) | Third | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, July 29 |
| » Lost to Padres (49-51), 2-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-4) | 47-51 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rich Gossage (5-4) L: Ron Robinson (8-2) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, July 30 |
| » Lost to Padres (50-51), 9-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-5) | 47-52 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ed Whitson (6-4) L: John Denny (7-10) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Friday, August 1 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (50-52), 9-5 | Dodger Stadium (0-4) | 47-53 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Rick Honeycutt (7-6) L: Mario Soto (3-9) S: Ken Howell (10) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Saturday, August 2 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (51-52), 7-1 | Dodger Stadium (0-5) | 47-54 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (6-4) L: Ron Robinson (8-3) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, August 3 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (52-52), 2-1 | Dodger Stadium (0-6) | 47-55 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Orel Hershiser (11-7) L: Bill Gullickson (7-7) S: Ken Howell (11) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Monday, August 4 |
| » Defeated Giants (55-51), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (3-2) | 48-55 | |
| » W: John Denny (8-10) L: Terry Mulholland (0-5) S: John Franco (17) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, August 5 |
| » Defeated Giants (55-52), 11-6 | Candlestick Park (4-2) | 49-55 | Won 2 |
| » W: Mario Soto (4-9) L: Steve Carlton (5-11) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, August 6 |
| » Lost to Giants (56-52), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (4-3) | 49-56 | |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (6-2) L: Carl Willis (1-3) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Friday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (54-54), 4-0 | Riverfront Stadium (22-25) | 50-56 | |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (8-7) L: Orel Hershiser (11-8) | Fourth | 9 out |
| » Defeated Dodgers (54-55), 5-1 | Riverfront Stadium (23-25) | 51-56 | Won 2 |
| » W: Chris Welsh (4-3) L: Alejandro Pena (1-2) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Saturday, August 9 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (54-56), 6-2 | Riverfront Stadium (24-25) | 52-56 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Denny (9-10) L: Fernando Valenzuela (15-7) S: John Franco (18) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Sunday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (55-56), 5-0 | Riverfront Stadium (24-26) | 52-57 | |
| » W: Dennis Powell (2-3) L: Mario Soto (4-10) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Monday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Giants (59-53), 13-4 | Riverfront Stadium (24-27) | 52-58 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mark Davis (3-4) L: Tom Browning (9-9) S: Frank Williams (1) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, August 12 |
| » Lost to Giants (60-53), 2-1 | Riverfront Stadium (24-28) | 52-59 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Vida Blue (9-6) L: Bill Gullickson (8-8) S: Scott Garrelts (4) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Giants (60-54), 8-6 | Riverfront Stadium (25-28) | 53-59 | |
| » W: John Franco (4-4) L: Scott Garrelts (10-8) S: Ron Robinson (9) | Fourth | 10 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Barry Larkin (Reds) |
| Thursday, August 14 |
| » Defeated Giants (60-55), 2-0 | Riverfront Stadium (26-28) | 54-59 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Denny (10-10) L: Kelly Downs (0-3) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Friday, August 15 |
| » Defeated Padres (53-62), 7-2 | Riverfront Stadium (27-28) | 55-59 | Won 3 |
| » W: Mario Soto (5-10) L: Dave Dravecky (8-10) S: Rob Murphy (1) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| » Lost to Padres (54-62), 7-1 | Riverfront Stadium (27-29) | 55-60 | |
| » W: Eric Show (8-5) L: Tom Browning (9-10) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Padres (54-63), 4-1 | Riverfront Stadium (28-29) | 56-60 | |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (9-8) L: Ed Whitson (6-7) S: John Franco (19) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, August 17 |
| » Lost to Padres (55-63), 9-5 | Riverfront Stadium (28-30) | 56-61 | |
| » W: LaMarr Hoyt (7-8) L: Chris Welsh (4-4) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Monday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Padres (55-64), 6-5 | Riverfront Stadium (29-30) | 57-61 | |
| » W: John Denny (11-10) L: Dave LaPoint (3-7) S: John Franco (20) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (59-60), 6-1 | Riverfront Stadium (30-30) | 58-61 | Won 2 |
| » W: Tom Browning (10-10) L: Tim Conroy (3-7) | Third | 10½ out |
| Wednesday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (59-61), 3-1 | Riverfront Stadium (31-30) | 59-61 | Won 3 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (10-8) L: Bob Forsch (12-7) S: John Franco (21) | Third | 9½ out |
| Thursday, August 21 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (59-62), 9-4 | Riverfront Stadium (32-30) | 60-61 | Won 4 |
| » W: Chris Welsh (5-4) L: Greg Mathews (9-4) S: Ron Robinson (10) | Third | 9 out |
| Friday, August 22 |
| » Lost to Cubs (53-69), 3-2 | Wrigley Field (1-3) | 60-62 | |
| » W: Jamie Moyer (5-3) L: Ted Power (4-6) S: Lee Smith (24) | Third | 9 out |
| Saturday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Cubs (53-70), 7-3 | Wrigley Field (2-3) | 61-62 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (11-10) L: Scott Sanderson (6-10) | Third | 8 out |
| Sunday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Cubs (53-71), 7-1 | Wrigley Field (3-3) | 62-62 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (11-8) L: Ron Davis (2-8) | Third | 8 out |
| Monday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Pirates (51-73), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-0) | 63-62 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ron Robinson (9-3) L: Larry McWilliams (2-10) S: John Franco (22) | Second | 8 out |
| Tuesday, August 26 |
| » Defeated Pirates (51-74), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-0) | 64-62 | Won 4 |
| » W: John Franco (5-4) L: Ray Krawczyk (0-1) | Second | 7 out |
| Wednesday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Pirates (51-75), 9-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-0) | 65-62 | Won 5 |
| » W: Rob Murphy (2-0) L: Don Robinson (2-3) | Second | 7 out |
| Friday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (63-65), 2-0 | Busch Stadium II (3-1) | 66-62 | Won 6 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (12-8) L: Danny Cox (8-11) | Second | 7 out |
| Saturday, August 30 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (64-65), 5-2 | Busch Stadium II (3-2) | 66-63 | |
| » W: Tim Conroy (4-8) L: Chris Welsh (5-5) S: Todd Worrell (29) | Second | 7 out |
| Sunday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (65-65), 9-3 | Busch Stadium II (3-3) | 66-64 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Forsch (13-8) L: Tom Browning (11-11) | Second | 7 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Bill Landrum (Reds) |
| Monday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Pirates (53-77), 6-5 | Riverfront Stadium (33-30) | 67-64 | |
| » W: Ted Power (5-6) L: Mike Bielecki (6-10) S: John Franco (23) | Second | 7 out |
| » Major-league debuts: John Smiley (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Pirates (53-78), 9-1 | Riverfront Stadium (34-30) | 68-64 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bill Gullickson (13-8) L: Bob Kipper (3-7) | Second | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, September 3 |
| » Lost to Pirates (54-78), 5-3 | Riverfront Stadium (34-31) | 68-65 | |
| » W: Barry Jones (2-2) L: John Franco (5-5) | Second | 8 out |
| Friday, September 5 |
| » Defeated Cubs (55-79), 11-2 | Riverfront Stadium (35-31) | 69-65 | |
| » W: Tom Browning (12-11) L: Rick Sutcliffe (4-13) | Second | 7 out |
| Saturday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Cubs (55-80), 5-1 | Riverfront Stadium (36-31) | 70-65 | Won 2 |
| » W: Ted Power (6-6) L: Dennis Eckersley (6-9) | Second | 7 out |
| Sunday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Cubs (56-80), 11-3 | Riverfront Stadium (36-32) | 70-66 | |
| » W: Greg Maddux (1-1) L: Bill Gullickson (13-9) | Second | 8 out |
| Monday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Astros (79-58), 3-1 | Astrodome (2-6) | 70-67 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (10-8) L: Chris Welsh (5-6) S: Charlie Kerfeld (7) | Second | 9 out |
| Tuesday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Astros (80-58), 9-2 | Astrodome (2-7) | 70-68 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mike Scott (16-9) L: Tom Browning (12-12) | Second | 10 out |
| Wednesday, September 10 |
| » Defeated Giants (70-70), 14-2 | Candlestick Park (5-3) | 71-68 | |
| » W: Ted Power (7-6) L: Vida Blue (9-10) | Second | 9 out |
| Thursday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Giants (71-70), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (5-4) | 71-69 | |
| » W: Kelly Downs (2-4) L: Bill Gullickson (13-10) S: Scott Garrelts (9) | Second | 9 out |
| Friday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (68-73), 8-3 | Dodger Stadium (1-6) | 72-69 | |
| » W: Chris Welsh (6-6) L: Brian Holton (1-1) | Second | 9 out |
| Saturday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (68-74), 3-0 | Dodger Stadium (2-6) | 73-69 | Won 2 |
| » W: Tom Browning (13-12) L: Bob Welch (7-12) | Second | 8 out |
| Sunday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (68-75), 4-3 | Dodger Stadium (3-6) | 74-69 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ron Robinson (10-3) L: Tom Niedenfuer (6-5) S: John Franco (24) | Second | 7 out |
| Tuesday, September 16 |
| » Lost to Astros (82-62), 6-1 | Riverfront Stadium (36-33) | 74-70 | |
| » W: Bob Knepper (16-11) L: Bill Gullickson (13-11) S: Larry Andersen (1) | Second | 8 out |
| Wednesday, September 17 |
| » Lost to Astros (83-62), 6-1 | Riverfront Stadium (36-34) | 74-71 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Danny Darwin (9-9) L: Chris Welsh (6-7) | Second | 9 out |
| Thursday, September 18 |
| » Lost to Astros (84-62), 5-3 | Riverfront Stadium (36-35) | 74-72 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Matt Keough (4-3) L: Tom Browning (13-13) S: Aurelio Lopez (6) | Second | 10 out |
| Friday, September 19 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (69-78), 9-7 | Riverfront Stadium (36-36) | 74-73 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Brian Holton (2-2) L: John Franco (5-6) S: Tom Niedenfuer (11) | Third | 11 out |
| Saturday, September 20 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (69-79), 9-5 | Riverfront Stadium (37-36) | 75-73 | |
| » W: Rob Murphy (3-0) L: Dennis Powell (2-6) | Second | 11 out |
| Sunday, September 21 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (69-80), 8-4 | Riverfront Stadium (38-36) | 76-73 | Won 2 |
| » W: Scott Terry (1-2) L: Orel Hershiser (13-13) | Second | 10 out |
| Monday, September 22 |
| » Lost to Giants (7 |