If you throw beachballs you are more likely to give up doubles or HRs no matter where you place them. So if he was indeed throwing beach balls, then we are lucky they only got singles.
He had a five run lead that he let dissolve with 7 hits and 5 ER. It doesn't matter how he throws it or when he did it. He did it. He could pitch six hitless innings and then give up 5 runs in the 7th and the same result occurs: he blew it.
