WASHINGTON - Players union chief Donald Fehr told Congress that a new drug-testing agreement could be reached next month - after he heard Hank Aaron and other Hall of Famers call for tougher steroid penalties.

Commissioners and union leaders from the NFL, NBA and NHL also testified at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing about legislation that would standardize steroid testing in U.S. professional sports.

Invited by baseball commissioner Bud Selig to appear, former star players Aaron, Ryne Sandberg, Phil Niekro, Robin Roberts and Lou Brock were not on the witness list. But Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who ran the hearing, asked them to speak.

Fehr this week outlined an approach that would increase the first penalty to 20 games and wouldn't mandate a lifetime ban. He stressed the need for case-by-case examination of players who fail drug tests.

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres clinched the fourth division title in their 37-year history, beating the San Francisco Giants 9-1 to take the NL West crown.Now the Padres (79-79) need to win three of their last four games to finish above .500. Since 1969, and excluding strike years, the 1973 New York Mets own the lowest winning percentage of a division champion by going 82-79 (.509) to win the NL East.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The North Dakota Fighting Sioux will remain on the list of college nicknames the NCAA doesn't want used in postseason play.The university's appeal was rejected by an NCAA review committee because it did not have the support of the three federally recognized Sioux tribes of North Dakota.North Dakota President Charles Kupchella said he would appeal the decision to the NCAA's executive committee.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons signed receiver Jerome Pathon.In his eight seasons, Pathon has 259 catches for 2,332 yards and 15 touchdowns overall.

SAO PAULO, Brazil - A second Brazilian referee allegedly admitted that he took bribes to favor clubs in certain matches this year.Paulo Jose Danelon said he helped fix the results of three matches in this year's Sao Paulo state championship. Danelon, who was interrogated for nearly six hours, told authorities he received $4,500 for each match.On Tuesday, FIFA suspended referee Edilson Pereira de Carvalho, who confessed to taking bribes in 11 Brazilian league matches this season.