PITTSBURGH — Francisco Liriano’s fastball is going where he wants it to. The Pittsburgh Pirates are following suit.

The veteran left-hander continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Liriano (3-0) struck out nine and walked just one to remain unbeaten since making his season debut against the New York Mets two weeks ago.

“What was it, one walk, nine punchouts and two hits?” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “Man, that’s clean stuff.”

You won’t find the Cubs arguing after Liriano escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third inning unscathed and then cruised. The Cubs went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and are hitting just .160 (4 of 25) with runners on base during their three-game losing streak.

“It’s the same old song and dance,” Chicago manager Dale Sveum said. “We get people on but can’t get them in.”

Mark Melancon survived a bumpy ninth inning for his first save of the season. The Pirates were forced to sit closer Jason Grilli — whose 18 saves lead the majors — after he labored through 34 pitches in a 5-4 win on Tuesday.

The road to Melancon’s first save since Aug. 26, 2012, while pitching for Boston wasn’t exactly smooth.

The Cubs put runners on first and second with one out but couldn’t tie things up. Melancon, who has served as the primary setup man this season, didn’t feel any extra jitters getting the last three outs.

“I do it every night, it’s just in the eighth inning instead of the ninth,” Melancon said.

Andrew McCutchen doubled twice for the Pirates and scored the game’s only run on an RBI single by Garrett Jones in the first. Pittsburgh has won 10 of 12 to move 10 games over .500 (28-18). The Pirates have also won six straight one-run games.

“I love the way we’re going about our business,” Hurdle said.

Chicago’s Jeff Samardzija (2-6) nearly matched Liriano pitch for pitch, giving up just three hits in seven innings, but received little help once again.

The Cubs have scored just 10 runs in Samardzija’s losses. The right-hander’s only issue came in the first when McCutchen doubled with two outs then scored on a single by Jones.

It would be all the cushion the Pirates needed while Samardzija lost a 1-0 decision for the second time in a month.

“You take it with a grain of salt,” said Samardzija, who walked one and struck out eight. “That’s just the way the game goes sometimes. You give up five runs and get a win sometimes.”

Or, in the case of the Pirates, whenever Liriano is on the mound.