1976 Pittsburgh Pirates season explained

Pittsburgh Pirates
Season:	1976
League:	National League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Three Rivers Stadium
City:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania^[1]
Record:	92–70 (.568)
Divisional Place:	2nd
Owners:	John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Bing Crosby, Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholders)
General Managers:	Joe L. Brown, Harding "Pete" Peterson
Managers:	Danny Murtaugh
Television:	KDKA-TV Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare
Radio:	KDKA Milo Hamilton, Lanny Frattare

The 1976 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 90th in the National League, and the 95th in franchise history. The Pirates compiled a 92–70 record during the season, as they finished in second place in the National League East, nine games behind their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. As a result, their run of five division titles in a six-year span came to an end. It was also the final season for Danny Murtaugh as the Pirates' manager.

Offseason

December 4, 1975: Rafael Vásquez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.^[2]
December 11, 1975: Dock Ellis, Ken Brett and Willie Randolph were traded by the Pirates to the New York Yankees for Doc Medich.^[3]
January 27, 1976: Pascual Pérez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.^[4]

Regular season

August 9, 1976: John Candelaria pitched a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[5]

Game log

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 1 || April 10 || @ Phillies || 5–4 (11) || Demery (1–0) || McGraw || — || 42,147 || 1–0|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || April 11 || @ Phillies || 8–3 || Kison (1–0) || Carlton || Moose (1) || 18,373 || 2–0|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 3 || April 13 || Cardinals || 14–4 || Reuss (1–0) || Falcone || — || 40,937 || 3–0|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 4 || April 15 || Cardinals || 9–3 || Rooker (1–0) || McGlothen || Hernandez (1) || 9,490 || 4–0|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 5 || April 16 || Mets || 3–1 || Medich (1–0) || Lolich || — || 19,899 || 5–0|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 6 || April 17 || Mets || 1–17 || Koosman || Kison (1–1) || — || 13,082 || 5–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 7 || April 18 || Mets || 7–5 || Reuss (2–0) || Swan || Hernandez (2) || 9,106 || 6–1|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 8 || April 20 || Phillies || 1–5 || Kaat || Candelaria (0–1) || — || 8,800 || 6–2|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 9 || April 21 || Phillies || 0–3 || Underwood || Medich (1–1) || McGraw || 9,175 || 6–3|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 23 || @ Giants || 3–7 || Montefusco || Reuss (2–1) || Lavelle || 15,621 || 6–4|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 11 || April 24 || @ Giants || 1–3 || Halicki || Rooker (1–1) || Lavelle || 9,222 || 6–5|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 12 || April 25 || @ Giants || 3–0 || Candelaria (1–1) || Caldwell || — || 23,700 || 7–5|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 13 || April 26 || @ Dodgers || 1–7 || John || Medich (1–2) || — || 23,374 || 7–6|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || April 27 || @ Dodgers || 3–5 || Rau || Kison (1–2) || Hough || 21,612 || 7–7|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 15 || April 28 || @ Dodgers || 1–2 || Hooton || Reuss (2–2) || — || 22,769 || 7–8|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 16 || April 30 || @ Padres || 4–3 || Rooker (2–1) || Spillner || Moose (2) || 17,010 || 8–8|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 17 || May 1 || @ Padres || 10–6 || Candelaria (2–1) || Greif || — || 21,773 || 9–8|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 18 || May 2 || @ Padres || 2–4 || Jones || Medich (1–3) || — || 21,702 || 9–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 19 || May 4 || Giants || 6–5 || Reuss (3–2) || Caldwell || Moose (3) || 4,729 || 10–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 20 || May 5 || Giants || 6–1 || Kison (2–2) || Halicki || — || 6,321 || 11–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 21 || May 6 || Giants || 3–0 || Rooker (3–1) || Barr || Demery (1) || 5,111 || 12–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 22 || May 7 || Braves || 3–1 || Candelaria (3–1) || Messersmith || — || 6,049 || 13–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 23 || May 8 || Braves || 5–3 || Medich (2–3) || Niekro || Giusti (1) || 6,864 || 14–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 24 || May 9 || Braves || 5–2 || Reuss (4–2) || Ruthven || — || 9,275 || 15–9|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 25 || May 11 || @ Reds || 0–6 || Nolan || Kison (2–3) || — || 26,850 || 15–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 26 || May 12 || @ Reds || 6–3 || Rooker (4–1) || Gullett || — || 26,053 || 16–10|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 27 || May 14 || Dodgers || 2–3 || Hough || Candelaria (3–2) || Marshall || 13,764 || 16–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 28 || May 15 || Dodgers || 4–2 || Medich (3–3) || Rau || Moose (4) || 12,165 || 17–11|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 29 || May 16 || Dodgers || 0–6 || Hooton || Reuss (4–3) || — || 15,334 || 17–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 30 || May 17 || @ Cardinals || 2–1 || Kison (3–3) || Curtis || Moose (5) || 10,538 || 18–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 31 || May 18 || @ Cardinals || 4–1 || Rooker (5–1) || Hrabosky || — || 10,288 || 19–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 32 || May 19 || @ Cardinals || 7–6 || Hernandez (1–0) || Rasmussen || Moose (6) || 11,229 || 20–12|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 33 || May 20 || @ Cardinals || 1–4 || Denny || Medich (3–4) || — || 11,315 || 20–13|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 34 || May 21 || Cubs || 4–5 || Reuschel || Demery (1–1) || Knowles || 9,342 || 20–14|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 35 || May 22 || Cubs || 4–3 (16) || Moose (1–0) || Reuschel || — || 7,081 || 21–14|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 36 || May 23 || Cubs || 5–6 || Zamora || Tekulve (0–1) || Sutter || || 21–15|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 37 || May 23 || Cubs || 9–1 || Reuss (5–3) || Garman || — || 20,477 || 22–15|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 38 || May 24 || Expos || 2–4 || Fryman || Candelaria (3–3) || Scherman || 5,420 || 22–16|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 39 || May 25 || Expos || 3–6 (11) || Granger || Moose (1–1) || — || 4,805 || 22–17|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 40 || May 26 || Expos || 6–3 || Demery (2–1) || Warthen || Candelaria (1) || 6,581 || 23–17|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 29 || @ Cubs || 1–4 || Bonham || Kison (3–4) || Zamora || 12,357 || 23–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 42 || May 30 || @ Cubs || 4–2 || Rooker (6–1) || Burris || — || 19,410 || 24–18|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 43 || May 31 || @ Mets || 2–13 || Matlack || Reuss (5–4) || — || || 24–19|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 44 || May 31 || @ Mets || 2–1 || Medich (4–4) || Apodaca || — || 46,004 || 25–19|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 45 || June 1 || @ Mets || 3–2 || Candelaria (4–3) || Koosman || — || 13,596 || 26–19|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 46 || June 2 || @ Expos || 4–2 || Kison (4–4) || Fryman || Giusti (2) || 11,337 || 27–19|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 47 || June 3 || @ Expos || 1–7 || Stanhouse || Rooker (6–2) || — || 7,951 || 27–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 48 || June 4 || Padres || 7–2 || Reuss (6–4) || Freisleben || — || 9,249 || 28–20|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 49 || June 5 || Padres || 9–11 (15) || Freisleben || Hernandez (1–1) || — || 15,558 || 28–21|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || June 6 || Padres || 1–6 || Strom || Candelaria (4–4) || — || 51,726 || 28–22|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 51 || June 7 || Reds || 5–4 || Moose (2–1) || McEnaney || Giusti (3) || 16,001 || 29–22|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 52 || June 8 || Reds || 5–10 || Alcala || Rooker (6–3) || McEnaney || 17,331 || 29–23|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 53 || June 9 || Reds || 1–6 || Nolan || Reuss (6–5) || — || 18,127 || 29–24|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 54 || June 10 || Reds || 1–6 || Gullett || Medich (4–5) || — || 17,280 || 29–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 55 || June 11 || @ Braves || 6–2 || Candelaria (5–4) || Moret || Moose (7) || 13,687 || 30–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 56 || June 12 || @ Braves || 4–2 (11) || Moose (3–1) || Devine || Tekulve (1) || 20,117 || 31–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 57 || June 13 || @ Braves || 6–5 || Demery (3–1) || Leon || Moose (8) || 15,656 || 32–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 58 || June 14 || @ Astros || 2–1 || Reuss (7–5) || Richard || — || 9,884 || 33–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 59 || June 16 || @ Astros || 6–3 || Medich (5–5) || Andujar || Demery (2) || 12,249 || 34–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 60 || June 18 || Astros || 7–3 || Candelaria (6–4) || Richard || — || 19,141 || 35–25|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 61 || June 20 || Astros || 4–9 || Griffin || Moose (3–2) || — || 18,670 || 35–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 62 || June 22 || @ Cubs || 10–7 || Demery (4–1) || Knowles || Hernandez (3) || 10,116 || 36–26|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 63 || June 23 || @ Cubs || 5–6 || Zamora || Moose (3–3) || — || 17,661 || 36–27|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || June 24 || @ Cubs || 1–2 (13) || Zamora || Langford (0–1) || — || 3,824 || 36–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 65 || June 25 || @ Expos || 9–2 || Kison (5–4) || Carrithers || — || 6,581 || 37–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 66 || June 26 || @ Expos || 7–6 || Demery (5–1) || Murray || — || 10,445 || 38–28|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 67 || June 27 || @ Expos || 3–4 || Fryman || Medich (5–6) || Murray || 12,824 || 38–29|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 68 || June 28 || Cubs || 9–2 || Rooker (7–3) || Coleman || — || 7,370 || 39–29|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 69 || June 29 || Cubs || 10–1 || Candelaria (7–4) || Renko || — || 8,774 || 40–29|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 70 || June 30 || Cubs || 7–5 || Kison (6–4) || Bonham || Moose (9) || 10,681 || 41–29|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 71 || July 2 || Phillies || 10–9 (10) || Hernandez (2–1) || Garber || — || 39,328 || 42–29|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72 || July 3 || Phillies || 2–3 || McGraw || Moose (3–4) || — || 19,327 || 42–30|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 73 || July 4 || Phillies || 5–10 || Carlton || Demery (5–2) || Reed || || 42–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 74 || July 4 || Phillies || 7–1 || Kison (7–4) || Kaat || — || 32,422 || 43–31|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 75 || July 5 || @ Braves || 6–8 || Dal Canton || Hernandez (2–2) || Marshall || 48,467 || 43–32|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 76 || July 6 || @ Braves || 2–4 || Messersmith || Rooker (7–4) || Marshall || 12,448 || 43–33|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 77 || July 7 || @ Braves || 9–7 || Reuss (8–5) || Ruthven || Moose (10) || 11,480 || 44–33|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 78 || July 9 || @ Reds || 11–12 (10) || Eastwick || Demery (5–3) || — || || 44–34|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 79 || July 9 || @ Reds || 1–2 || Norman || Medich (5–7) || — || 53,328 || 44–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 80 || July 10 || @ Reds || 7–1 || Candelaria (8–4) || Billingham || — || 50,756 || 45–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 81 || July 11 || @ Reds || 8–5 || Tekulve (1–1) || Borbon || Reuss (1) || 47,153 || 46–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 82 || July 15 || Braves || 13–1 || Candelaria (9–4) || Niekro || — || 10,488 || 47–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 83 || July 16 || Braves || 7–2 || Reuss (9–5) || Messersmith || — || 11,151 || 48–35|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 84 || July 17 || Braves || 2–10 || Ruthven || Kison (7–5) || — || 14,776 || 48–36|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 85 || July 18 || Reds || 8–9 || Billingham || Medich (5–8) || Eastwick || 33,697 || 48–37|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 19 || Reds || 2–4 || Zachry || Rooker (7–5) || — || 26,585 || 48–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 87 || July 20 || Astros || 9–5 || Candelaria (10–4) || Griffin || Tekulve (2) || || 49–38|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 88 || July 20 || Astros || 3–4 || Forsch || Giusti (0–1) || — || 11,922 || 49–39|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 89 || July 21 || Astros || 5–1 || Reuss (10–5) || Dierker || — || || 50–39|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 90 || July 21 || Astros || 4–1 || Demery (6–3) || Andujar || Giusti (4) || 12,209 || 51–39|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || July 22 || @ Phillies || 0–3 || Underwood || Kison (7–6) || Reed || 43,050 || 51–40|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || July 23 || @ Phillies || 1–11 || Lonborg || Medich (5–9) || — || 40,120 || 51–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 93 || July 24 || @ Phillies || 8–5 || Rooker (8–5) || Christenson || Giusti (5) || || 52–41|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 94 || July 24 || @ Phillies || 1–7 || Carlton || Moose (3–5) || — || 57,723 || 52–42|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 95 || July 25 || @ Phillies || 7–13 || Reed || Giusti (0–2) || — || 37,692 || 52–43|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 96 || July 27 || @ Cardinals || 3–1 || Kison (8–6) || Falcone || — || 13,953 || 53–43|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 97 || July 28 || @ Mets || 1–0 (13) || Giusti (1–2) || Sanders || — || 22,215 || 54–43|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 98 || July 29 || @ Mets || 2–1 (10) || Tekulve (2–1) || Lockwood || — || 12,588 || 55–43|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 99 || July 30 || Expos || 4–3 (13) || Tekulve (3–1) || Kerrigan || — || 12,774 || 56–43|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 100 || July 31 || Expos || 6–7 || Murray || Moose (3–6) || — || 10,981 || 56–44|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 101 || August 1 || Expos || 0–2 || Rogers || Kison (8–7) || — || 17,150 || 56–45|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 102 || August 2 || Cardinals || 0–4 || Falcone || Medich (5–10) || — || 7,553 || 56–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 103 || August 3 || Cardinals || 2–1 || Rooker (9–5) || Greif || — || || 57–46|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 104 || August 3 || Cardinals || 2–4 || Hrabosky || Giusti (1–3) || Wallace || 14,781 || 57–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 105 || August 4 || Cardinals || 2–1 (12) || Giusti (2–3) || Wallace || — || 8,426 || 58–47|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 106 || August 5 || Mets || 4–7 || Matlack || Reuss (10–6) || Lockwood || 7,836 || 58–48|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 107 || August 7 || Mets || 12–3 || Kison (9–7) || Seaver || — || || 59–48|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 108 || August 7 || Mets || 2–4 || Espinosa || Medich (5–11) || Lockwood || 12,364 || 59–49|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 109 || August 8 || Mets || 4–7 || Lolich || Rooker (9–6) || — || 16,538 || 59–50|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 110 || August 9 || Dodgers || 2–0 || Candelaria (11–4) || Rau || — || 9,860 || 60–50|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 111 || August 10 || Dodgers || 1–5 || Sutton || Reuss (10–7) || — || 13,670 || 60–51|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 112 || August 11 || Dodgers || 0–2 || Rhoden || Demery (6–4) || — || 16,222 || 60–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 113 || August 13 || @ Astros || 8–5 || Tekulve (4–1) || Niekro || — || 17,876 || 61–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 114 || August 14 || @ Astros || 5–4 || Giusti (3–3) || Pentz || — || 9,721 || 62–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 115 || August 15 || @ Astros || 8–6 || Medich (6–11) || Larson || Tekulve (3) || || 63–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 116 || August 15 || @ Astros || 3–0 || Reuss (11–7) || Sambito || — || 16,326 || 64–52|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 117 || August 17 || @ Giants || 6–7 || Lavelle || Moose (3–7) || Williams || 9,215 || 64–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 118 || August 18 || @ Giants || 12–1 (7) || Rooker (10–6) || Montefusco || — || 3,817 || 65–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 119 || August 19 || @ Giants || 1–0 || Candelaria (12–4) || Barr || — || 2,709 || 66–53|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 120 || August 20 || @ Dodgers || 1–8 || Rau || Kison (9–8) || Hough || 25,107 || 66–54|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 121 || August 21 || @ Dodgers || 1–5 || Sutton || Moose (3–8) || — || 42,235 || 66–55|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 122 || August 22 || @ Dodgers || 6–1 || Demery (7–4) || Rhoden || Tekulve (4) || 24,295 || 67–55|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 123 || August 23 || @ Padres || 4–5 || Johnson || Rooker (10–7) || Metzger || 18,396 || 67–56|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 124 || August 24 || @ Padres || 3–7 || Strom || Candelaria (12–5) || — || 11,002 || 67–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 125 || August 25 || @ Padres || 3–0 || Kison (10–8) || Freisleben || — || 10,963 || 68–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 126 || August 27 || Giants || 5–2 || Demery (8–4) || Montefusco || — || 12,580 || 69–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 127 || August 28 || Giants || 7–1 || Rooker (11–7) || D'Acquisto || — || 11,043 || 70–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 128 || August 29 || Giants || 3–2 (11) || Candelaria (13–5) || Moffitt || — || 12,972 || 71–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 129 || August 31 || Padres || 3–0 || Reuss (12–7) || Jones || — || 9,674 || 72–57|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 130 || September 1 || Padres || 4–1 || Kison (11–8) || Strom || Tekulve (5) || 5,381 || 73–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 131 || September 2 || Padres || 5–0 || Demery (9–4) || Freisleben || — || 5,545 || 74–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 132 || September 3 || @ Expos || 9–7 || Rooker (12–7) || Stanhouse || Tekulve (6) || || 75–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 133 || September 3 || @ Expos || 7–2 || Candelaria (14–5) || Carrithers || — || 6,342 || 76–57|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 134 || September 4 || @ Expos || 5–3 || Giusti (4–3) || Murray || Tekulve (7) || 3,290 || 77–57|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 135 || September 5 || @ Expos || 0–1 || Fryman || Reuss (12–8) || — || 6,180 || 77–58|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 136 || September 6 || Phillies || 6–2 || Kison (12–8) || Kaat || — || || 78–58|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 137 || September 6 || Phillies || 5–1 || Demery (10–4) || Underwood || — || 41,703 || 79–58|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 138 || September 8 || Phillies || 6–1 || Rooker (13–7) || Carlton || — || 30,976 || 80–58|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 139 || September 10 || Expos || 2–4 || Fryman || Candelaria (14–6) || — || 12,032 || 80–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 140 || September 11 || Expos || 4–3 || Reuss (13–8) || Rogers || Tekulve (8) || 7,509 || 81–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 141 || September 12 || Expos || 6–1 || Kison (13–8) || Stanhouse || Tekulve (9) || 12,765 || 82–59|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 142 || September 13 || Mets || 0–5 || Seaver || Demery (10–5) || — || 7,892 || 82–60|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 143 || September 14 || Mets || 3–4 || Lockwood || Rooker (13–8) || — || 7,867 || 82–61|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 144 || September 15 || @ Phillies || 7–2 || Candelaria (15–6) || Kaat || — || 45,010 || 83–61|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 145 || September 16 || @ Phillies || 7–6 || Tekulve (5–1) || Reed || — || 35,806 || 84–61|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 146 || September 17 || @ Mets || 4–1 || Medich (7–11) || Matlack || Giusti (6) || 14,304 || 85–61|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 147 || September 18 || @ Mets || 2–6 || Seaver || Demery (10–6) || — || 15,879 || 85–62|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 148 || September 19 || @ Mets || 6–7 || Espinosa || Giusti (4–4) || Lockwood || 18,652 || 85–63|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 149 || September 20 || @ Mets || 4–5 || Apodaca || Tekulve (5–2) || — || 5,922 || 85–64|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 150 || September 21 || @ Cubs || 4–3 || Kison (14–8) || Renko || Rooker (1) || || 86–64|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 151 || September 21 || @ Cubs || 1–2 (13) || Reuschel || Moose (3–9) || — || 5,017 || 86–65|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 152 || September 22 || @ Cubs || 3–4 || Coleman || Tekulve (5–3) || — || 3,375 || 86–66|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 153 || September 23 || @ Cubs || 5–4 (10) || Giusti (5–4) || Knowles || Kison (1) || 2,132 || 87–66|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 154 || September 24 || @ Cardinals || 6–10 || Forsch || Candelaria (15–7) || — || || 87–67|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 155 || September 24 || @ Cardinals || 11–1 || Rooker (14–8) || Curtis || — || 10,368 || 88–67|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 156 || September 25 || @ Cardinals || 0–3 || McGlothen || Reuss (13–9) || — || 7,858 || 88–68|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 157 || September 26 || @ Cardinals || 2–5 || Denny || Kison (14–9) || Hrabosky || 10,456 || 88–69|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 158 || September 28 || Cubs || 5–1 || Medich (8–11) || Reuschel || Reuss (2) || 2,880 || 89–69|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 159 || September 29 || Cubs || 0–1 || Renko || Demery (10–7) || — || 2,880 || 89–70|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 160 || October 2 || Cardinals || 8–0 || Candelaria (16–7) || McGlothen || — || 4,250 || 90–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 161 || October 3 || Cardinals || 1–0 || Rooker (15–8) || Denny || — || || 91–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 162 || October 3 || Cardinals || 1–0 || Reuss (14–9) || Falcone || — || 24,228 || 92–70|-|-| Legend: = Win = Loss
Bold = Pirates team member

Notable transactions

June 8, 1976: Bob Long was drafted by the Pirates in the 24th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.^[6]
July 2, 1976: Albert Williams was released by the Pirates.^[7]
September 8, 1976: Ramón Hernández was purchased from the Pirates by the Chicago Cubs.^[8]

Roster

1976 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		Outfielders		ManagerCoaches

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Pos	G	AB	R	H	Avg.	HR	RBI	SB
C	114	389	52	113	.290	2	36	2
1B	117	428	54	110	.257	20	65	2
2B	157	654	59	168	.257	2	60	18
3B	132	434	60	108	.249	8	51	1
SS	144	519	76	134	.258	0	24	58
LF	155	581	91	168	.289	21	89	1
CF	121	443	62	143	.323	12	61	6
RF	138	537	82	168	.313	13	90	19

^[9]

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg.= Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

G	AB	R	H	Avg.	HR	RBI	SB
122	393	55	119	.303	21	64	2
69	184	12	41	.223	3	9	0
83	146	14	34	.233	0	16	1
61	129	10	28	.217	2	25	0
48	122	24	33	.270	2	12	15
50	92	6	17	.185	0	12	0
62	87	10	24	.276	1	13	0
27	39	2	12	.308	0	5	0
16	17	7	4	.235	0	0	5
4	6	0	2	.333	0	1	0
7	4	1	1	.250	1	1	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
32	220.0	16	7	3.15	138
31	209.1	14	9	3.53	108
30	198.2	15	8	3.35	92
31	193.0	14	9	3.08	98
29	179.0	8	11	3.52	86

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
53	3	9	10	3.68	38
64	5	3	9	2.45	68
40	5	4	6	4.32	24
37	2	2	3	3.56	17
12	0	1	0	6.26	17
4	0	0	0	5.68	4

Awards and honors

1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

References

1976 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference
1976 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac
Book: Johnson. Lloyd. Wolff. Miles. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. 2nd. Durham, North Carolina. Baseball America. 1997. 978-0-9637189-8-3.

Notes and References

From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vasqura01.shtml Rafael Vásquez Statistics
https://www.baseball-reference.com/e/ellisdo01.shtml Dock Ellis
https://www.baseball-reference.com/p/perezpa01.shtml Pascual Pérez Statistics
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197608090.shtml August 9, 1976 Dodgers-Pirates box score at Baseball Reference
https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/longbo01.shtml Bob Long
https://www.baseball-reference.com/w/willial03.shtml Albert Williams
https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hernara01.shtml Ramón Hernández
Web site: 1976 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics.