WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- With Sandy Alcantara, there is no questioning the quality of his pure stuff, or his power fastball. When the Marlins’ 23-year-old right-hander attacks the zone, he has the makings of a frontline starter.

The main concern for Alcantara on Thursday turned out being he struggled to find his footing in the Marlins’ 7-5 loss to the Astros at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

“The mound was a little wet,” Alcantara said. “I tried digging in and was trying to feel more comfortable. By the second inning, I started feeling better.”

The first inning, especially, was a challenge as he struggled to acclimate to the soft surface. His fastball velocity was in the 93-94 mph range, and he topped at 97 mph. In his first spring start, he was 96-98 mph in the first inning.

“I felt uncomfortable on the mound today,” he said. “I tried to find a way to throw the ball over the plate.”

Against the Astros, Alcantara worked two innings, and allowed two runs on two hits with three walks, three wild pitches, and three strikeouts.

“We’ve got to make sure he stays aggressive and attacks the strike zone,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “With his stuff, we want to attack the strike zone and build off that. We want to get guys swinging. Then we can work on some of the other things.”

Thursday was a reminder of what Alcantara is capable of becoming, while also showing where he still needs improvement.

Alcantara's outing appeared to start out smoothly, as he retired George Springer on a popout to shortstop and he struck out Jose Altuve with a fastball down and away, his best pitch of the day. After that, he walked Michael Brantley, and Carlos Correa blistered an RBI double, and the inning unraveled.

“In the first inning, I got in trouble,” Alcantara said. “I accept all of that. By the second inning, I got on the mound and said,‘Forget it. Let’s throw strikes.'"

Alcantara threw two wild pitches in the first inning, and allowed two more walks before Tyler White was retired on a flyout to right.

“This lineup was like a bunch of superstars,” Alcantara said. “They’ve got Altuve, Springer. I’ve seen them in the All-Star Game.”

In the second inning, the Astros threatened again with Robinson Chirinos leading off with a single. He advanced to third on a wild pitch in the inning, but was stranded at third after Alcantara struck out Springer and Altuve.

Alcantara got Altuve swinging on an elevated 97 mph fastball, his final pitch of the day.

With all young players, Mattingly reiterated it’s about consistency.

“It’s a separator,” Mattingly said. “The better guys are more consistent. Those are the guys who give you a chance, and you feel every time your club goes out, you’ve got a chance to win, because you know what you’re going to get. The same way with hitters. The guys who give you good at-bats consistently, you know what you’re going to get. They may not get a hit every day, or have good days. But in general, your club feels like they’re going to be good for you.”